Tolu Arokodare makes bold Ajax claim, targets Champions League return

Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare has declared Ajax the biggest club in the Netherlands and insisted the Dutch giants belong in the UEFA Champions League, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Nigerian forward made the bold statement while discussing Ajax's ambitions for the 2026-27 season, despite the Amsterdam club currently competing in the UEFA Conference League play-offs.

Arokodare joined Ajax on a season-long loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer after an impressive spell in Belgium and has already made a positive start to life in Amsterdam, although he has yet to start a game for the Dutch giants.

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The 25-year-old believes the club's recent struggles have not changed its status as Dutch football's biggest institution.

“Ajax is of course the biggest club in the Dutch league,” Arokodare told ESPN Netherlands.

“We know that as a team, as players, as football fans. Everyone knows that.”

Arokodare wants Ajax back where they belong

Ajax are currently battling for a place in the UEFA Conference League group stage after missing out on Champions League football after finishing 5th in the Eredivisie last season.

While respecting Europe's third-tier competition, Arokodare admitted it is not where Ajax's ambitions should end.

“With all due respect to the Conference League, but the Conference League is not where Ajax as a team want to be,” he said.

“You want to play in the Champions League.”

The towering striker added that returning Ajax to Europe's premier competition is one of the club's primary objectives this season.

Conference League first, Champions League next

Although Ajax's long-term target is Champions League qualification, Arokodare stressed that the squad remains focused on the immediate challenge of overcoming Swiss side FC Sion in the Conference League play-offs tonight.

“The most important goal this season is obviously to win matches, win the title and return to the right position,” Arokodare said.

“That means qualifying for the Champions League. For now we're in the Conference League, and we'll focus on what's in front of us.

“Our job is to qualify and keep moving towards the position Ajax deserves,” the former KRC Genk striker concluded.

Arokodare has already shown encouraging signs since arriving at Ajax, providing an assist on his Eredivisie debut and gradually earning the trust of head coach Míchel as the Dutch giants begin their quest to reclaim domestic and European prominence.