Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is planning to revisit a transfer move for Ajax attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus, according to FootballTransfers.
Man Utd attempted to sign the Ghana international from the Eredivisie club last summer but, just as Everton failed with an approach, no deal was able to be agreed with the Amsterdam outfit.
With the breaks put on a transfer with Kudus, Ten Hag instead went for Christian Eriksen, who was a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Brentford. The Dane is only seen as a medium-term solution, however.
A year after that failed bid, Man Utd are ready to revisit the case of the 22-year-old, who has a sharply rising Expected Transfer Value of €16.2 million.
The Old Trafford side are hopeful they can get a deal done this summer for a fee around the €45 million (£40m) mark.
Although he may not be the type of marquee signing that Man Utd fans are hoping for, FootballTransfers futher reports that the protracted takeover talks mean that it will be very difficult for the Old Trafford side to negotiate the type of blockbuster transfers being discussed with regards Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen and Jude Bellingham, all of whom are linked with the club.
Not the No.9 Man Utd want
Although Ten Hag appreciates the versatility of Kudus, who can play as an attacking midfielder, on the wing or as a centre-forward, it is his qualities as a No.10 that the Dutchman primarily wants the player. This was made clear last summer when he moved for Eriksen when the Red Devils’ approach failed.
Indeed, this is something that will suit Kudus, who has scored 18 goals and created another five in 38 appearances in all competitions this season, including an impressive return of four strikes in six Champions League matches.
Speaking in February to Algemeen Dagblad the 21-time capped player explained: “I am versatile and can play in different positions, but I feel best in midfield. I am more dangerous there, because I get the ball near the goal more often. But I will do my best in every position to help the team, as I did when I was played as a striker.”
Ten Hag believes that Kudus will fit into Man Utd’s style of play without too many concerns, having signed the player as Ajax boss in 2020 from Danish side Nordsjaelland.