Ajax is one of the best-selling clubs in the world.
The Dutch giants have made a staggering £470 million from selling their top players in the last five years alone.
Many of them were homegrown stars who grew up in the renowned Ajax youth system.
A new Ajax component
But it wasn't always like this for Ajax. Back in the late twentieth century, the Dutch giants were very much a destination club, frequently challenging for and winning European titles.
While they still had the same youth system that produced some of the world's greatest players - just think of Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, and the list goes on - their homegrown players would usually spend a significant portion of their career at Ajax.
As a result, the club enjoyed incredible success when competing against the legendary Liverpool and AC Milan teams of the past - four European Cups in a 24-year span is proof enough.
However, since the influx of commercial TV money and the subsequent boom in major European leagues, Ajax has simply been unable to compete financially.
The best players they develop are frequently sold to major clubs in England, Spain, or Italy before they reach the age of 21.
Finally, playing the role of'seller' has become a necessary strategy for them in the modern era.
Ajax's best XI of sold players
While obviously not ideal given their vintage history, it's a fact that Ajax fans accept - they'll never be able to match the wages of a Barcelona, though perhaps they aren't the best example given their current financial predicament.
But what they have become frighteningly good at is identifying exceptionally talented young players and molding them into future world-class stars before - you guessed it - selling them on.
As a result, the ultimate Ajax XI of players sold over the last 20 years is simply incredible, and you can see it below:
GK - Toby Alderweireld CB - Matthijs de Ligt CB - Jan Vertonghen LB - Daley Blind CDM - Frenkie de Jong CDM - Ryan Gravenberch CAM - Wesley Sneijder
ST - Zlatan Ibrahimovic CAM - Christian Eriksen ST - Luis Suarez
Manchester United supporters will be hoping that their new left-back Tyrell Malacia can replace their former favorite Blind in the coming years.
The Red Devils are also reportedly on the verge of signing Eriksen, who is expected to make the XI, and are in talks with Barcelona to bring in De Jong - the Erik ten Hag effect is in full swing right there.
Meanwhile, the rest of the team is stacked with Premier League talent, with the striker pairing of Liverpool legend Suarez and iconic maverick Ibrahimovic undoubtedly being the crowning jewel.
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