Man Utd Set to Make £10m Bid for Dutch International

Manchester United are lining up a January bid for Ajax keeper Maarten Stekelenburg. Sir Alex Ferguson has been looking to bring in a long term replacement for veteran Edwin van der Sar and the Old Trafford boss is ready to make a move for the giant Dutch international who may well seek to force a move away from the Amsterdam club following the departure of boss Martin Jol.

The 6ft 6in goalie is now in his ninth season at Ajax and had an impressive World Cup in South Africa which has led to an ever growing list of admirers who are interested in signing the Haarlem born star. Ferguson has recently brought in Danish international Anders Lindegaard but has stated his intention to bring in further alternatives as he seems set to let back up keeper Thomas Kuszczak.


40 year old keeper van der Sar is likely to hang up his gloves at the end of the season and Sir Alex is all to aware of the importance of having a solid pair of hands behind his back four and will therefore sanction a bid of around £10m to secure the signing of Stekelenburg.

Ajax are in dire financial straits and will be forced to offload some of their star turns and a number of Europe’s elite are ready to pounce to snap up the exit bound stars. Ferguson may attempt to sweeten any deal by offering one of his back up players are part of any deal with the likes of Michael Owen or Anderson believed to be surplus to requirements.