It might be thirteen years since the last Kluivert graced the Premier League, but it looks like another will be arriving in the summer. Patrick Kluivert joined Newcastle United on a free transfer in the 2004/05 season, and now his son Justin is being courted by Manchester United. With the Ajax man struggling to agree on a new contract with his club, manager Jose Mourinho is on high alert but what would he bring to Old Trafford?
The 19-year-old wonder kid has been on the hit list of many clubs since last season when he helped Ajax reach the final of the Europa League. But this season the left wide forward has stepped up his game by bagging ten goals this season in Eredivisie. He even scored a hat trick this season against Roda in November.
The youngster earned himself a full international call-up; having previously played every single level of youth international football. His debut came in the 3-0 win over current European Champions Portugal. The call-up only further enhanced his potential and credentials of making it in the game.
However, Ajax do not agree with the demands from Kluivert and his agent Mino Raiola; who represents players like Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He is known worldwide but not always well liked as Sir Alex Ferguson used some very choice words when dealing with him during Paul Pogba’s first tenure at Manchester United. Ajax are probably thinking the same now.
The pair is demanding €1.5 million (£1.3 million a year, £25,000 per week) and a proportion of the next transfer fee Ajax get for Kluivert. The policy of the club is to pay no player more than €1 million a year; let alone a 19-year-old who is in his second senior season. Once again, modern football has its grip on clubs who just want to develop their players.
The same could be said for Anthony Martial; the player Kluivert would be replacing at Manchester United. The 22-year-old is at crossroads in his early career, does he fight for his place or seek pastures new? The Frenchman only joined in 2015 for £36 million but has fallen out of favour with Mourinho; who would prefer to play Alexis Sanchez or Jesse Lingard on the left-hand side of the front three.
Like Martial, Kluivert is a pacey wide man who has terrific dribbling ability and one who does like to cut inside. He does lack the ability to contribute defensively but so does Martial. The question Manchester United fans find themselves asking is why bring in a player with the same qualities as Martial?
There is no doubting Kluivert would be a great investment, but surely Manchester United have more pressing concerns like central midfield and a long-term replacement at right back.
