Manchester United have reportedly stepped up their interest in Justin Kluivert, and are set to launch an attempt to sign the Ajax wonderkid
According to a report by Daily Mirror, Edwin van der Sar, who is now the CEO at Ajax, is battling to keep one of the club’s stars beyond the summer transfer window. Manchester United are eager to sign Justin Kluivert, who is set to reject a new deal at the Johan Cruijff Arena for a move to Old Trafford.
Kluivert is the latest wonderkid to emanate from the fabled academy at Ajax. The player joined the youth setup at the club as an eight-year-old, and rapidly progressing through the ranks before breaking into the first-team setup last season at the nascent age of 17.
Since then, he has progressed leaps and bounds and is now a mainstay in the first-team squad. While he does not boast world beating figures, with 10 goals and 5 assists in 35 appearances, he has shown enough promise to be excited about, which has piqued the interest of one of the best clubs in the world – Manchester United.
Jose Mourinho is set to bolster his squad in the summer transfer window, as he bids to close the gap between his side and Manchester City. Attack isn’t reportedly high on the priority list, but the Manchester United manager looks set to buy at least one player in the department.
The right side of attack seems to be the only problem area for Manchester United, and with Kluivert adept at playing on the flank as well as on the left, he is a viable target. At 18, he can easily be moulded into a player who can become a world beater playing on the right flank.
While the 18-year-old has iterated that his dream is to play for Barcelona, there has been no forthcoming interest from the newly crowned La Liga champions. Kluivert had even rebuffed Manchester United links a few months ago, but it looks like he is keen on joining the club now.
The Premier League giants are ready to table a bid in the summer, which has turned the youngster’s head. As a result, the 18-year-old is now ready to turn down a deal which would make him the highest paid player at Ajax, and join Manchester United instead.
But, former Manchester United goalkeeper, Edwin van der Sar, who is now Ajax CEO, has urged Kluivert to snub the Red Devils to continue his development at the Johan Cruijff Arena. With his agent Minio Raiola ready to force through a move, a summer switch to Old Trafford might just happen.
