Manchester United are ahead of Eredivisie champions Ajax in the race to sign FC Nordsjaelland forward Kamaldeen Sulemana. What’s the story...
Manchester United are ahead of Eredivisie champions Ajax in the race to sign FC Nordsjaelland forward Kamaldeen Sulemana.
What’s the story?
According to Football Insider, the Red Devils are expected to outbid the Dutch giants following recent talks after sending a delegation to Denmark in order to thrash out a deal for the 19-year-old sensation.
Sulemana has enjoyed a fabulous campaign with Nordsjaelland, bagging 10 goals and providing eight assists in just 29 appearances for the SuperLiga outfit, attracting the attention of some of the continent’s biggest clubs.
The new Rashford
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have made solid, if relatively steady, progress this season. A second-place finish in the Premier League table is secured with a game to spare, and Wednesday’s Europa League final will offer the perfect opportunity to end the club’s longest trophy drought in over 30 years.
However, a 12-point gap to Premier League winners Manchester City and a group stage exit in the Champions League outlines the work that is still be done to restore the Old Trafford outfit to their former glory.
While the starting XI have continually impressed throughout the current campaign, Solskjaer has often found his options limited when looking to the bench. The likes of Dan James, Donny van de Beek and Alex Telles have failed to grasp their opportunity when given a chance from the off, and the 20-time English champions are, therefore, keen to bolster their ranks over the summer.
Sulemana appears to fit the bill, and the similarities to Marcus Rashford in the pair’s style of play are clear for all to see. The Ghana international is a pacey forward who’s comfortable playing on either flank or through the middle.
The teenager has an extensive array of skills and tricks in his locker and is renowned for his directness and eye for goal, all key features of Rashford’s game. While James has made improvements this season and continues to work hard, it’s clear that Sulemana has more to offer than the Welshman.
If United want to secure his services, though, they’ll have to continue to fend of Ajax’s advances. The Amsterdam outfit’s sporting director Marc Overmars has been scouting the winger, while manager Erik ten Haag openly praised the Nordsjaelland man, stating: “He is an attractive player who is technically skilled and goes on an adventure and has a lot of speed.”
The Football Insider report claims Ajax have submitted a £12m offer for Sulemana, while his current employers are holding out for a £15m fee, a price United are expected to get closer to.
It could be a pivotal transfer window for Solskjaer as he attempts to real in United’s noisy neighbours, and securing some much-needed backup for Rashford out wide could significantly boost their title aspirations for 2021/22.
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