Krishnan Sreekumar
Transfer News: Erik ten Hag could bring Ajax Amsterdam ace Sebastien Haller with him to Manchester United
According to transfer news on The Sun, incoming new permanent manager Erik ten Hag ‘could bring’ along striker Sebastien Haller with him from Ajax Amsterdam, as the Dutchman looks to make his first signing at Old Trafford.
The 52-year-old head coach is expected to take over from Ralf Rangnick in Manchester at the end of the season, when the German’s tenure as interim manager expires. ten Hag will officially be handed the reins to the English side in the summer.
The incumbent Ajax boss is expected to usher in a new era at the Theatre of Dreams, building a side that is capable of competing for trophies once again and playing an attractive brand of football that the fans can get behind.
The Red Devils have not won a trophy in five years, and are currently lying in sixth place in the Premier League table. As things stand, they are set to miss out on playing Champions League football next season.
Cheaper alternative for United
Given the dire situation at the club, it is obvious that United will be looking to rebuild their squad and sign quality players that can turn around their fortunes. However, the Manchester side is currently unable to shell out the expected £100m-plus sums that are being asked in order to sign stars like Declan Rice and Harry Kane.
Given that a striker is required up front to improve our goal tally next campaign, Haller has emerged as an interesting candidate. The 27-year-old is available for £35m in the summer, as he only has two years left of his Ajax contract, making him an affordable buy – when compared to the likes of Kane.
The English side’s current strikers are Cristiano Ronaldo, Edinson Cavani, and Marcus Rashford. With Ronaldo and Cavani on the wrong side of 35, and Rashford looking like a shadow of the player he once was, it is obvious that we need reinforcements in attack.
Further, with Anthony Martial’s future at United uncertain once he finishes his season-long loan at Sevilla and Mason Greenwood being suspended indefinitely, we need to invest in goalscorers that can lead the line for us effectively.
There may be doubts regarding Haller’s ability to succeed in the English top-flight, considering his disastrous spell with West Ham United a few years ago. But he has since found redemption at Ajax under ten Hag, and perhaps, the Dutchman could help the striker continue his fine form in Holland while in England.
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One could argue that he may be more suited to the style or level of football being played in Holland. But if ten Hag saw something in him during their days in Amsterdam, it is best to trust our incoming boss and back the striker- if he joins United, to begin with. With 33 goals in 39 matches across all competitions this season, it is safe to say that he has found his scoring touch.
The Ivory Coast international is on the cusp of entering the prime years of his playing career, and if things go United’s way, they could be signing a player who could look to explode in the coming years. But this seems like early days when it comes to this piece of news and perhaps, fans will learn more of this in the coming weeks.
