Ajax's best players are Daley Blind and Dusan Tadic. The former Manchester United have already signed and then foolishly sold, and the latter is likely too old to consider signing, but in the same squad are a number of talented players who could follow Erik ten Hag to Old Trafford this summer.
Antony, Jurrien Timber and Lisandro Martinez have all been linked with a move to United this summer. According to reports in the Netherlands, however, Ajax are unwilling to part with their star assets this summer unless they receive a substantial fee, after already selling Ryan Gravenberch and now potentially Sebastian Haller, with Noussair Mazraoui leaving on a free.
The centre-backs of Martinez and Timber are reportedly priced between €50m and €60m and Antony is available for around €70m. This may well test and stretch United's budget, but more importantly, it is ignoring what has been a problem position at the club for many years.
ALSO READ: Manchester United transfer latest, Frenkie de Jong plans, Antony and Jurrien Timber updates
Though United are deep in talks for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, he is going to need a partner in midfield — a genuine number six. The player should be able to reliably position himself to receive the ball in possession and then pass it to another teammate, he also should be more defensive and able to break up play.
It just so happens that Ajax have a player that fits this mould who could be available for just €30m. Edson Alvarez was a stalwart of Ten Hag's side since his move to the club at the start of the 2019/20 season and he could act as the perfect midfield partner for De Jong at United.
The two players never played together in Amsterdam, with Alvarez joining just after De Jong's departure to Spain, but the Mexican plays a similar role to the one Lasse Schone played during the 2018/19 campaign, which saw Ajax reach the semi-final of the Champions League. He does the simple stuff and protects the centre-backs while a player like De Jong (or Gravenberch, to use a more recent Ajax example) pushes forward.
The midfield should be United's priority this summer. It is the area in which United are the weakest when you consider the starting XI and also has the least depth thanks to departures this summer, which include Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Nemanja Matic.
With a limited budget and looking for players who understand and quickly implement Ten Hag's style of play, a move for Alvarez seems like a no-brainer, but it may mean losing out on other Ajax-based targets.
READ NEXT:
- The latest Manchester United news
-
Erik ten Hag can't forget Manchester United's unsung hero in his starting XI
-
Sadio Mane’s Manchester United comments show what Erik ten Hag must do in transfer market
-
Ralf Rangnick favourite faces uncertain Manchester United role under Erik ten Hag
-
Erik ten Hag's centre-back search could give Manchester United a whole new problem to deal with
