Real Hunte some Klaas down

December 3, 2008

Real Madrid will sign striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar from Ajax in January, after the two clubs announced an agreement over a reported £17m transfer for the Dutch international.

Yesterday newspapers had reported the official interest from the Spanish Giants, but parties representing Huntelaar and Ajax maintain that nothing had yet been agreed. But both clubs announced later on Tuesday evening that a deal had been agreed and the prolific striker will be heading to join the strong Dutch contingent in Madrid in January.

There had initially been scouts from Germany following the progress of the Amsterdam club’s captain, but in the past year the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal had joined in the chase for the Dutchman. But with Ruud van Nistelrooy out for the rest of the season, the la liga champions needed some cover and a potential successor to the ex-United hero.

The Oranje frontman has an incredible scoring record, since 2003 he has scored an incredible 167 goals in only 218 games for club and country, which is an amazing strike rate of goal every 1.3 games.

Huntelaar is out for about another month with an ankle injury but fortunately UEFA rules state that once the deal is completed, Huntelaar can be eligible to be added to Madrid’s squad for the Champions League, as he has only competed with Ajax this season in the UEFA Cup.

Ajax may now start a search to replace Huntelaar, due to the fact that their current crop of attacking players are more suited to supporting roles, they will want to bring in another out and out striker. Ajax do have an excellent record in finding as well as developing little known talent, the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimović, Jari Litmanen, Mido, Benni McCarthy, Kanu have all been forwards in Amsterdam.
Ajax will likely look abroad to the more obscure leagues and have been reportedly been monitoring the progress of Croatian league leading scorers Bojan Vručina and Nikola Kalinić, Marc Janko has scored 29 and Stefan Maierhofer who has 18 this season both within 20 games in Austria. Norwegian youngster Jo Sondre Aas might also be a target, as might Marcus Berg - the Swede who’s got experience in scoring in the Eredivisie for Groningen.

Huntelaar’s move is still subject to a medical in January, but despite the ankle injury no problems are expected.

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