Mika Godts was taken out of the starting XI just two minutes before Ajax's Eredivisie season opener against PEC Zwolle on Sunday. 17-year-old Abdellah Ouazane replaced Godts, who started in Ajax's European qualifiers against Vojvodina and Shelbourne.
Speculation arose that Godts had pulled out due to the ongoing negotiations between Ajax and Paris Saint-Germain. The UEFA Champions League winners have been trying to get Godts to Paris for the better part of a week, but Ajax are keeping their foot down and demand €60 million, according to reports.
Speaking to De Telegraaf, Godts' agent Niels De Jonck confirmed that his client's omission from Sunday's starting XI had nothing to do with the potential transfer.
“It has nothing to do with what’s going on with PSG. Mika isn’t like that. He was simply overworked. So this is a precautionary measure and to avoid taking any risks,” said De Jonck.
Mika Godts was a rare bright spot at Ajax last season, scoring 17 goals and providing 13 assists in the Eredivisie. His 30 goal contributions led the Dutch league. This season, Godts has scored once and assisted twice in three UEFA Conference League qualifiers.