Huntelaar wanted by Manchester rivals

Manchester United and Manchester City are both reportedly scouting out Ajax striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar. Although Ajax already had to sell Ryan Babel and Wesley Sneijder this summer, it seems that after failing to qualify for the Champions League for the second year in a row, they may have to part with their biggest asset left.

The price tag surrounding the 6 ft 1 in 24 year-old is rumored to be in the range of £18 million, a fee which either Manchester club could easily afford. The loss of their top scorer would be a huge blow to Ajax, but the lure of the Premiership may be too much for the Dutchman come January, and the capital team may be forced to sell.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson apparently sees Huntelaar as the ideal replacement for Ruud van Nistelrooy who headed to Real Madrid in the 2006 summer transfer window.

I could see Huntelaar doing wonderfully well at United, as the club have fabulous build-up play, and Huntelaar is a natural goalscorer. He would be unlikely to reproduce a strike rate as impressive as his 42 goals in 51 games at Ajax in the Premiership, but could prove to be as fearsome as van Nistelrooy should the transfer formulate.

I doubt the young striker would settle for Manchester City though, as he is a hot commodity, and would likely want guaranteed Champions League football. However, the funds of Thaksin Shinawatra could coax Ajax into selling him into the Premiership.