We've been hearing a lot about Marco Van Ginkel over the past several days, and today we have confirmation from Ajax that they've stepped out of the hunt due to the involvement of Chelsea FC. Since Google Translate isn't cooperating on my temporary laptop this morning, I'm going to let someone that all of you should be following on Twitter anyway do the translating for us:
Overmars (Ajax TD):"We were very interested [in Van Ginkel] but we can't compete with an English topclub. Chelsea have more financial power"
— Mark Will Stinson (@TheWSNetwork) June 12, 2013
Common sense probably should have told us this, but a little confirmation of the obvious never hurt. Ajax are a fine club with an awful lot of history, but they just can't compete financially with the top clubs in Europe anymore. Forgetting the close relationship that Chelsea and Vitesse have forged, the Blues can easily outbid the Dutch giants for a player any time they see fit.
Everything we're hearing seems to be pointing towards an agreement in the very near future, likely being held up only by the fact that Van Ginkel is currently competing in the UEFA U21 Championships in Israel. He'll be there for another week or so, but I'd expect to see resolution to this one shortly after the tournament ends.