Erik ten Hag reportedly interested in Galatasaray wonderkid with former club Ajax also very keen

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Reports have suggested that Manchester United are looking at Galatasaray wonderkid, Efe Akman – however, Erik ten Hag’s old club, Ajax, also have an interest.

Efe Akman is a 17-year-old centre-defensive midfielder from Galatasaray, who is yet to make a competitive senior appearance for the club, however, has caught the attention of some of Europe’s top sides thanks to his performances in the UEFA Youth League this season.

Like any arising youngster in world football, Ajax are hot on the tail of the Turkish prospect, looking to beat the rush of European clubs, sign early and develop them into a world beater.

However – Manchester United could disrupt the Dutch side’s usual process, as reports from Turkey state that Erik ten Hag also has an eye on the young man.

Erik ten Hag set to battle it out with Ajax for Efe Akman

According to the Turkish publication GS Gazette – United scouts were there to monitor Akman in Galatasaray U19’s match against Kayserispor earlier in the week.

Klaas Jan-Hunterlaar, ex-Ajax player and now scout, was also at the fixture to monitor the same man – which could lead to a transfer war between the two clubs.

Following the fixture, Galatasaray correspondent Burhan Can Terzi reported:

“Ajax official Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who went to Trabzon yesterday, following the Galatasaray – Kayserispor match from the stadium, started an important investigation in the Turkish League. Efe Akman is at the top of the list of Huntelaar. Manchester United is also at Florya for Efe, in touch.”

United appear to be in touch already, which is a clear sign of interest from ten Hag. However, with him being ‘top of the list’ for Huntelaar – the Red Devils have to be quick to pounce.

A CDM is certainly a position that United need to be looking at in the near future, with the ageing Casemiro not going to be around forever. Akman, although relatively unknown, could be the perfect pickup for a future candidate to lock down that role at Old Trafford.