Erik ten Hag identifies Ajax’s’star youngster,’ but risks breaking Manchester United’s transfer affirmation.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag wants to sign Ajax star Mohamed Kudus in the summer after identifying the midfielder as a top target, according to reports.
Ten Hag arrived at Old Trafford last summer after leaving Ajax, and in his first transfer window, he signed two players from his former club.
According to the Times, he had a “gentlemen’s agreement” with the Dutch club that he would not “gut the team” upon his arrival at Old Trafford.
Both centre-back Lisandro Martinez and Antony joined United in the summer, with the former having a huge impact on the club’s fortunes.
Nevertheless, Antony has shown glimpses of his star skill with six goals in all competitions, and at 22, he has plenty of time to become a United legend.
Their signings have served the team well thus far, and they helped United win the Carabao Cup, their first trophy under Ten Hag.
Martinez and Antony both started as they defeated Newcastle 2-0 at Wembley on Sunday. Casemiro and Wout Weghorst, two additional Ten Hag acquisitions, also made their debuts.
Now, it appears that the Dutch manager is looking for a third Ajax player ahead of the summer transfer window.
Man United are interested in Ajax star Kudus.
Ten Hag has identified two crucial areas that he wants to reinforce this summer, according to the Manchester Evening News, and he wants to bring Kudus to Old Trafford.
An offensive midfielder, the 22-year-old Ghana international has scored nine goals in 22 Eredivisie games this campaign.
He also scored four goals in six Champions League group stage games and represented Ghana in both the Africa Cup of Nations and the 2022 World Cup.
Former Rangers great Calvin Bassey, Kudus’ club and international teammate, praised him as a “star boy on fire” after scoring twice for Ghana in a 3-2 World Cup group stage win over South Korea.
According to the MEN, Ten Hag regards Kudus as a player who can develop into a Premier League star, and he is part of a six-player transfer shortlist.
Kudus might go on to give the goal threat that legendary coach Sir Alex Ferguson believes the club badly need.
Speaking after the Carabao Cup final, Ferguson told Sky Sports: “[Marcus Rashford] is in a great vein of form. Unfortunately for us, he is the main source of goals. We could do with another one, but he’s doing it.”
