Ajax surprises with special Paris stunt after Mika Godts sale: big message at iconic landmark

Mika Godts has traded Amsterdam for Paris in a blockbuster €55 million transfer, a move for the Belgian winger that had been anticipated for some time. Godts himself was given a tour of PSG's immense complex on Saturday when the deal was announced, and it seems Ajax had also been planning something special. Early Sunday morning, a massive banner appeared at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, Paris's iconic landmark.

The banner was emblazoned with the combined colours of Ajax and PSG: blue on the outside, followed by white stripes, and a single red stripe in the middle. With six words, Ajax sent a message to the world: the future belongs to young Godts. Godts' surname conveniently lent itself to this clever wordplay. The action quickly garnered thousands of likes from across the globe.

The €55 million transfer immediately ranks seventh among the most expensive sales ever in the Eredivisie. Ajax, incidentally, dominates that list. During the tenure of Marc Overmars as technical director and Erik ten Hag as coach, the club's recent golden age, top players were sold one after another. Antony remains the most expensive of all time, with the Brazilian winger moving to Manchester United in 2022 for a staggering €95 million. Frenkie de Jong (€86 million), Matthijs de Ligt (€85.5 million), and Lisandro Martinez (€57.37 million) also feature in the top four.

Ismael Saibari is the most recent high-profile Eredivisie transfer after Godts. The midfielder moved from PSV to Bayern Munich this summer for an estimated €50 million, placing him in the top five. Godts' official transfer fee is €45 million, but it could rise to €55 million with bonuses, hence his slightly lower position on the list. Ajax is certainly in the market for a replacement for the Belgian, with Noa Lang frequently mentioned as a potential target in Amsterdam.