Could Dutch keeper be leaving Ajax this summer?

Ajax keeper Maarten Stekelenburg is again being linked with a move to a bigger foreign league this summer.

The 28 year-old has long been highly-rated throughout Europe and rumours persist that this summer he could finally get his big move.

Stayed

Although not the current champions Ajax are in the Eredivisie title race and still highly regarded in European football.

However the Dutch top flight has became a feeder league for Europe’s bigger leagues. Players tend to do well and move to clubs of in La Liga, the Premier League and Serie A.

If Maarten Stekelenburg leaves the Dutch giants the only surprise to me would be that he has stayed in his homeland for so long.

Quality

Maarten Stekelenburg is a quality goalkeeper and his ability has not gone unnoticed by Europe’s top clubs. He has previously been linked with the likes of Juventus, AC Milan and Manchester United.

Experience

Although only 28 years of age he has spent nearly ten years in the Ajax first team and played nearly 200 league games for Ajax. He has also has valuable European experience having played in both the Champions League and Europa League.

Denial

The Dutch international’s agent Rob Jansen has revealed he hasn’t had contact with any club about his client.

Jansen told  calciomercato.it: “There’s nothing going on at the moment.
“There hasn’t been any contact with Italian teams or with other foreign teams. With no team at all.”

Jansen continued: “ Whether he prefers to move to a foreign league? I can’t confirm anything at the moment. There’s still the possibility that he’ll sign a contract extension with Ajax, too.”

I don’t think the talented keeper will stay in Amsterdam much longer. He needs to move on to make the next step in his career. His career will go stale if he stays at Ajax much longer and a move would help him improve as a player.

Wanted

Stekelenburg could be the answer to a few English clubs problems. Arsenal have long been in need of a top keeper and Stekelenburg fit’s the bill perfectly. He also wouldn’t command a massive fee.

Another club already linked with the Dutchman is Manchester United. Ironically since he broke into the Ajax first team he has been compared to current United keeper Edwin Van Der Sar.

He is quite similar in stature and then there’s the fact that they both made their name in Amsterdam at Ajax. Van Der Sar also left it quite late to leave the club from the Dutch capital.

With his compatriot Van Der Sar retiring this summer could Stekelenburg be his replacement at Old Trafford? He would certainly be a viable option for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. According to reports the Scottish boss has lots of options but Stekelenburg could be a great buy for the Champions League finalists.

Italian giants AC Milan are also currently looking for a steady keeper to compete with number one Christian Abbiati next season and Stekelenburg is apparently high on their list of summer targets.

Serie A rivals Juventus are set for a major summer rebuilding job and are believed to  be interested in signing Stekelenburg this summer. He would provide competition for the aging pair of Gigi Buffon and Marco Storari.

Cheap

Stekenlenburg’s contract expires next summer so Ajax will have to sell soon or run the risk of losing the Dutch international keeper for nothing next summer. Any club coming in for the keeper could pick themselves up a really good bargain.

Will Maarten Stekelenburg be leaving Ajax this summer?