Frank de Boer has said Ajax would make an exception to their policy of signing only younger players if Klaas-Jan Huntelaar could be persuaded to return from Schalke.
Huntelaar, 32, is under contract at the Bundesliga club until 2017, but coach De Boer told AT5 the Netherlands international would "add value" to his team.
He said: "We look at each case on its budget, but of course there are times when you think you cannot pass something up.
"Then we will have the means to strike -- but you still have to add value. Huntelaar may come, and you would know that you have added value."
German newspaper Der Westen said the remarks made a Huntelaar return to the Netherlands seem an increasing possibility.
It quoted the player as telling FUNKE sport that he would keep an open mind about potential future moves.
"I always decide at the last minute," it quoted him as saying. "Planning is overrated."