Manchester United have been eyeing winger sensation Mika Godts. It’s easy to see why.
The last time Manchester United signed a winger from Ajax, it did not go too well.
The Red Devils vastly overspent to buy Antony for more than £80 million in 2022, before selling him three years later for a quarter of the price.
That should not rule out a swoop for Ajax’s latest breakthrough superstar, Mika Godts.
Godts, 20, came through the Ajax academy and has played more than 100 games for the club already. He is a Belgium international, hoping to land a place in their World Cup squad.
TribalFootball claimed earlier this year that United have shown interest in the winger, and at the weekend he scored a dazzling solo goal that a young Ryan Giggs would have been proud of.
Ajax stance on Mika Godts
Manchester United have not dealt directly with Ajax since 2022, when the club bought Antony and Lisandro Martinez in the same summer.
Erik ten Hag also switched from Ajax to become United manager weeks earlier, while in 2020, the club paid £35 million to sign Donny van de Beek.
Godts is emerging as a big talent, scoring 16 goals and providing 11 assists in the league in 29 games. These are far higher numbers than Antony ever produced.
Former United winger Jordi Cruyff is the current technical director at Ajax, and he is apparently in no rush to cash in on the Belgian winger.
Mounir Boualin, transfer journalist for SoccerNews states: “Although he is already having a top season, Ajax hopes that Godts can show what he can do against the top clubs next season as well. In that regard, he can and must become even more consistent. He can also make his mark even further in Europe.
“Cruyff really does not want to let him go. He would only leave if there is an offer that cannot be refused.”
United are in the market for a winger, although this is less of a priority than the major recruitment required in central midfield.
Former Ajax and PSV manager Aad de Mos believes that Godts is worth a high fee, based on his attacking potential.
He said: “Is he worth more than fifty million euros? Yes. If Alexander Isak costs more than 150 million euros.
“If Matthijs de Ligt costs seventy million euros as a defender… I see amounts for defenders. This is an attacker, who is also going to play at the World Cup.”
Meanwhile the reaction to Godts’ wondergoal has seen plenty more plaudits come his way over the weekend.
Analyst Kenneth Perez told ESPN: “When he gets the ball, you know something is going to happen.
“He has that gift. Godts is the reason you watch Ajax and why they still stand a chance.”
Godts is the kind of winger who gets fans on their feet, and one Manchester United supporters would love.
But the key to any transfer is finding the right value, and United won’t want to overpay.
Mika Godts scored a goal reminiscent of Ryan Giggs! Is he a player Man Utd should be looking to sign?
Godts on his goal
Mika Godts was asked about his solo goal against Utrecht, with Dutch reporters comparing it to a famous Zlatan Ibrahimovic goal in Ajax colours.
Godts was humble enough to suggest that the former Manchester United forward’s solo strike was superior.
He told Telegraaf: “I think Zlatan’s is more beautiful. I have indeed come from further back, but that was also largely based on speed.
“Zlatan did everything on technique.”
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