Huntelaar In Ajax Extension Talks

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Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Ajax (foto ANP)

The lethal striker and Ajax’s most prized asset has a contract in Amsterdam until June 30, 2010, but after yet another impressive season he could well be on his way in the summer, having attracted the attention of some of the world’s biggest clubs, including Real Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Roma and possibly Barcelona.  

Harmonious talks

However, Sportweek reports that an Ajax delegation has begun negotiations with Huntelaar’s agent, Arnold Oosterver, hoping to hold on to the 24-year-old international and team vice-captain at least for another season.  

“Talks are proceeding in harmony,” Ajax managing director Henri van der Aat has told the weekly magazine. In order to convince Huntelaar, Ajax are offering him the chance to leave them for a reasonable fee in the summer of 2009.  

Youth idols to play a part

Whether they will succeed or not remains to be seen, even though the former PSV Eindhoven, De Graafschap and Heerenveen star has hinted that working together with Marco van Basten and Dennis Bergkamp is a tempting prospect.  

“That’s true, I admire them for what they have achieved,” Huntelaar said in an interview with Ajax Life fanzine. “As a striker, I’d like to work with the crème de la crème, two former stars from whom I could learn a lot. It is a possibility and that prospect could certainly influence my decision.”  

Huntelaar has scored a breathtaking 96 goals in 119 Ajax appearances and another six in 11 Netherlands outings, a record he’s certainly hoping to build on in the European Championship, in Van Basten’s last games in charge of the national side.  

Kuffour set to go

But Van Basten has been busy with Ajax as well and according to Algemeen Dagblad he has decided to release Sammy Osei Kuffour, as he thinks that the Ghanaian international doesn’t suit his plans. The 31-year-old centre-back moved to the Dutch capital last January, but only managed to feature in two games. The former Bayern, Nürnberg, Roma and Livorno man had signed a contract up to the end of the season with Ajax seemingly choosing not to activate the option of extending it by another two years.  

Blind faith

As far as Blind is concerned, Van Basten is happy with the return of his former team-mate from Sparta Rotterdam. “After Martin van Geel’s departure, many tasks would fall upon me. And I want to be able to focus on the first team,” he told Ajax’s official website.  

“These months are important for Ajax, as they will have an impact on the next seasons and I need to give my full attention to the Dutch national team now. In Danny we get someone who knows the ins and outs of this world and who adds quality to our team. I have much faith in him.”  

Sparta general director Peter Bonthuis has told Algemeen Dagblad that everyone at the club congratulated Blind, although disappointed that he was leaving a whole three years before the end of his contract.  

Like father, like son

Fourty-six-year-old Blind, a true Ajax icon, has a lot of work ahead of him, as he will oversee the club’s transfers, scouting and youth development. Besides a central defender for 13 years, he’s served the Amsterdam giants in several capacities, including head coach, youth trainer and director of youth training. Worth noting that his 18-year-old son Daley is a member of the Ajax academy and an U-19 international forward.  

Panos Bletsos, Goal.com