According to a recent report by Goal.com, Manchester City are in pole position to land Ajax youngster Sontje Hansen during the summer transfer period. However, the same source has also mentioned that Juventus, Inter Milan and Red Bull Leipzig are keeping tabs on the young forward’s progress and could rival the Citizens for his signature in this off-season.
Hansen’s Incredible Rise In Dutch Football
Hansen is a product of Ajax’s youth system and has graduated from the Dutch outfit’s academy before going on to make two senior appearances for Erik ten Hag’s side earlier this season. He managed to help the Netherlands defend their Under-17 European Championships crown last summer and then went on to win the Golden Boot during the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in the winter months of 2019. The Dutch starlet finished the tournament with six goals to his name but failed to lead his nation past the semi-final stage as they lost to Mexico via penalties.
The 18-year-old made his first-team debut for Ajax against Telstar in the KNVB Cup. He had also featured in one league match this season when he came on as a late substitute during his boyhood club’s 6-1 win over ADO Den Haag back in December.
Hansen has established himself as one of the most promising young strikers in Dutch football due to his growing influence for both club and country. Hence, it is no wonder that so many top European clubs are chasing after him before the start of the new campaign.
What Are The Dutch Whizkid’s Best Attributes?
The Hoorn-born talent can use his quickness and agility to make some dangerous runs with the ball in behind the opposition backline. He has a terrific burst of pace and a low centre of gravity that enables him to cause all sorts of problems for the opposition in the final third. Hansen also packs a lot of power with his shot attempts and has been a prolific goal-scorer at various youth levels for both Ajax and the Netherlands. However, he is still quite raw and would need time to develop his strength so that he can cope with the physicality and high intensity of English football.
Is Hansen A Prospect For The Future?
Recruiting a marksman of Hansen’s potential will undoubtedly be a massive coup for the Citizens in the long-run. Man City boss Pep Guardiola could be the ideal man to get the best out of him if the Spanish head coach is willing to nurture his development in the years to come. The recent emergence of Phil Foden, Eric Garcia and Tommy Doyle should serve as proof that Guardiola is willing to rely on his younger players if they are good enough to play in his first-team.
If Hansen can maintain his high standards in the north-west of England, then he should have a good shot of securing first-team football in a few years’ time. However, for now, the Ajax prospect needs to work hard on improving himself with each season so that he is ready to take the step up to the next level when required. The Dutch teenager is undeniably a prospect to look out for in the future so Guardiola will do well to lure him to the Etihad Stadium this summer.
