Ajax sporting director Marijn Beuker has confirmed that his side hold interest in bringing Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen to the club.
The 33-year-old United player has been at Old Trafford since joining for free ahead of the 2022-23 season, and he was a regular under previous boss Erik ten Hag, featuring in 28 league games in his first season.
Though the Danish international played in 22 Premier League matches last term, he has only made 16 appearances this campaign in the top flight, starting nine times.
An exit would not be surprising, and Ajax sporting director Beuker spoke to ESPN about his interest in Eriksen, saying: “He is one of the players who has performed fantastically with us in the past that we are thinking about.
“Such players are always an option. To look at it. It has to fit into the phase we are in, though. In the salary structure.”
Eriksen began his professional career at Ajax and considering his contract at Old Trafford expires in the summer, it is easy to see why he would be an attractive option.
A new midfield group at United?
Though Eriksen has proven himself to be a valuable asset to United during his time at the club, he has struggled against more physically imposing opponents.
These issues would undoubtedly get worse with age, and allowing him to leave would help open up space in the squad for a more athletic replacement.
However, Eriksen may not be the only midfield departure in the summer given captain Bruno Fernandes has recently been linked with a £90m move to Real Madrid.
Veteran Casemiro has often been criticised in the past seasons for his performances, and the Brazilian could find himself heading for the exit door sooner rather than later.
While United fans would in all likelihood welcome Casemiro’s exit given his departure would help the club financially, they may be more alarmed by reports that Kobbie Mainoo could also be on the way out of Old Trafford.
The 19-year-old became a first-team regular in 2023-24, but injury issues this season have disrupted his ability to contribute, and contract negotiations off the pitch have seemingly hit a stumbling block.
Chelsea have been credited with an interest in Mainoo, but it would be a blow for Ruben Amorim to lose such a talented young star before he has had the chance to fully incorporate him into his team.
