Man Utd to benefit from huge Everton transfer failure as Ten Hag learns offer needed to sign Eredivise ‘gem’

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag could go back into the Eredivise market this summer by signing a player for a much higher price than Everton could have landed him for, according to a report.

Ten Hag has great connections in his native Netherlands thanks to the time he spent managing FC Utrecht and Ajax. He used these links to his advantage during his first transfer window as Man Utd boss, bringing in three players from the Eredivise last summer.

Antony and Lisandro Martinez were both signed from Ajax for big money, while left-back Tyrell Malacia arrived from Feyenoord in a £14.7million deal.

Ten Hag’s Dutch theme continued in the recent January window as Netherlands World Cup striker Wout Weghorst joined the Red Devils on loan from Burnley.

The manager still needs more new signings – as well as existing players to leave – in order to continue making the squad his own. And one known target is Ajax attacker Mohammed Kudus.

On Friday, transfer insider Ben Jacobs told TEAMtalk that Man Utd’s interest in Kudus is ‘very genuine’. Ten Hag likes him a lot due to him being the right age, the right profile and him boasting a fantastic goalscoring record. So far this term the Ghanaian has managed 18 goals in 35 appearances.

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Things could have been far different for Kudus, however. He was a target for Everton last summer and they were briefly in negotiations with Ajax over his potential move.

The Toffees, then managed by Frank Lampard, submitted a €12m (£10.6m) plus bonuses offer for the 22-year-old. But this was not enough to get Ajax to sign off on his exit and the player resultantly stayed in Amsterdam.

Man Utd eyeing striker after Everton transfer miss

Everton will have been left reeling from this transfer failure after seeing how good Kudus has been this campaign. He could have been bagging plenty of goals for them. This is needed as neither of Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Neal Maupay are currently up to scratch in front of goal.

Instead, Kudus is shining with Ajax and could secure a big-money switch to Man Utd later this year. Former Tottenham star Rafael van der Vaart thinks he could now fetch €80-100m (£71-88m).

“I’ve said it before, but [Marc] Overmars thought this was his best purchase ever, by far,” Van Der Vaart said (via Sport Witness). “He’s a gem. Then, as a technical director, you really are a tyrant. Ajax do not want to sell him, because they think they can get €80-100m.”

Kudus is shaping up to be a fantastic capture from Man Utd. He seemingly has the eye for goal needed to lead the line for a massive club like Man Utd.

Although, Kudus might not actually be the best striker signing for Ten Hag. Tottenham’s Harry Kane is also on his shortlist.

Kane is one of the best Premier League scorers of all time. Only Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney have scored more goals than him in the competition.

The England captain would not need time to adjust to the Prem, which Kudus will. Admittedly, Kane is seven years older than his striker counterpart. But if Man Utd were to sign him this summer, he could help them lift big trophies over the next three or four years before hanging up his boots as a champion.

Meanwhile, Monday’s Euro Paper Talk claims Man Utd may sign a top-class playmaker to replace Bruno Fernandes.