Stekelenburg favours Manchester United switch over Arsenal
Highly-rated Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg has reportedly stated he would prefer a move to Manchester United rather than Arsenal, should both teams back up their interest with concrete bids. The Dutch stopper, who had an outstanding World Cup, played
a vital part in Holland’s run to the final. He has been the subject of many transfer stories throughout the summer months following the World Cup finals.
Arsenal’s search for a new goalkeeper has hardly been a secret, and Stekelenburg was one of the goalkeepers on their radar. With Arsène Wenger’s confidence in his current No.1, Manuel Almunia, still low, he has set about sounding out other targets. Fulham’s
Mark Schwarzer was on the agenda, but nothing ever materialised, so Wenger will be on the lookout during the next couple of transfer windows. January is apparently ruled out, as Stekelenburg has already represented his current club in the Champions League,
ruling him out of any further ties. But come July next year, Wenger may come calling, and attempt to lure the 27-year-old to the Emirates.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will reportedly compete for the Dutchman’s signature, as he looks for a replacement for the 40-year-old Dutch goalkeeper he currently possesses, Edwin van der Sar. The former Fulham and Juventus goalkeeper has
been an excellent servant to the Red Devils, but he cannot go on forever, and has apparently given a superb reference to his current manager about his compatriot.
It still remains to be seen if either make a bid for the Dutchman, but with both expected to be in the market for a new No.1, Stekelenburg would surely feature on any shopping list. He’s relatively young for a goalkeeper too, but has the required experience
to slot straight into either side. A bidding war between the two English giants would certainly be welcomed by the player’s club Ajax, as they will be hopeful of driving up the price as much as possible.
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