Kovács only joined AZ last summer from Ajax's youth system on a three-year deal running to June 2028. The request from Ajax to buy him back makes his case unusual — their technical director Jordi Cruyff is exploring the feasibility of bringing him back to Amsterdam after the club allowed him to leave on a free transfer less than twelve months ago.
At 6ft 5in and still only 19 — he turned the age in March — Kovács has established himself as one of the most intriguing young forwards in Dutch football. He scored eight goals in 14 appearances for Jong AZ in the Kampioen Divisie, the second tier, before forcing his way into the senior squad. He made his senior debut in AZ's Conference League quarter-final second leg against Shakhtar Donetsk, providing an assist in the 2-2 draw.
He has also been capped by Hungary's senior national team and is expected to be called up for upcoming friendly matches against Finland and Kazakhstan.
Di Marzio reports Chelsea are monitoring closely, with a possible structure involving a loan to Red Bull Salzburg — part of the BlueCo ownership group — as a means of developing the player before bringing him to Stamford Bridge. Juventus are the other active European club, consistent with their recent strategy of targeting high-ceiling young forwards before their valuations rise significantly.
AZ are determined to keep him. The Dutch club have produced a string of talent that has reached Serie A in recent seasons and see Kovács as the next in that pipeline. They are working on an improved contract offer to convince him to extend beyond 2028 and remove the uncertainty his current situation is creating.