There seems to be a modern trend with attacking players hailing from the Eredivisie over the last few years.
Memphis Depay started his career on the left and is now a central striker. More recently, Cody Gakpo is being used as a false nine at Liverpool after spending most of his career as a winger.
And Ajax star Mohammed Kudus, a player who can operate as an attacking midfielder or on the right flank, has been played as a striker 16 times this season. United fans will hope Antony does not follow the same path given his meagre one-on-one skills. Kudus, though, hasn’t done too badly.
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He has nine goals and two assists as the central striker this season, having tallied 18 goals and six assists overall. Erik ten Hag’s fondness of versatile players is well-documented, and perhaps that is why he is interested in the 22-year-old.
He was handed a big chunk of bait on Tuesday when Kudus’ agent declared that she was pushing for him to leave Ajax this off-season.
"I think it is best for both Ajax and Mohammed that he makes a transfer now. Now is the right time," Jennifer Mendelewitsch told Dutch media.
"He has ignored a proposal to extend his contract until the summer of 2026. What I can say is that after the World Cup and this season there is a lot of interest in Kudus."
This might be music to Ten Hag’s ears but he may be best to put the noise-cancelling headphones in. Mendelewitsch would not get drawn into whether her client has had a £40m price tag slapped on him.
Ten Hag is in the dark over what transfer budget he will get this summer amid the uncertainty over how the takeover process will conclude, but that kind of price would likely take a bite out of his packet.
Such a fee isn’t so speculative either with two years still left on his current deal at Ajax, who will be a very tough nut to crack given their poor title challenge after the exits of several key players last summer, including Lisandro Martinez and Antony.
There is a reason why the expensive Harry Kane is Ten Hag’s preferred transfer target. The England captain is an established, natural centre-forward - unlike Kudus, who was once (but no longer) a central midfielder a few years ago.
The Ghana star may be impressing but his acquisition isn’t pressing. United need a striker yesterday, and only an accomplished goal-getter who has proven himself in the big five European leagues will do.
Kudus might well be an excellent addition and perhaps Ten Hag would be best served looking at him later in the window, if he is still available should the United boss be that keen.
However, there is a risk of upsetting the apple cart if he is brought in after a main striker is found - who misses out? Kudus may well leave Ajax this summer but a move to Old Trafford may be problematic.
The Reds need a striker and a number 6 - Kudus, while a lovely prospect, is currently neither.
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