Kevin Keij Leaves Ajax To Join Erik ten Hag At Manchester United

Ajax's Donny van de Beek and coach Erik ten Hag during training.

REUTERS/Toussaint Kluiters

Manchester United’s recruitment team have seemingly spent more time monitoring talents in Amsterdam than anywhere else across Europe during the current transfer window.

Erik ten Hag’s move from Ajax to United opened the floodgates, with the Red Devils returning to the Johan Cruyff Arena on several occasions to strengthen their project.

The first name to follow Ten Hag’s footsteps was his trusted assistant Mitchell van der Gaag. Ajax were keen to keep hold of Van der Gaag, but the former defender opted to serve as the 52-year-old’s number two at Old Trafford.

Earlier in the summer, United approached Jurrien Timber to make the Netherlands international the first signing of the Ten Hag era. However, Timber wasn’t keen on the reunion.

Then the Premier League giants switched their focus to Lisandro Martinez and signed the Argentine in a deal worth up to £57m.

The latest Ajax addition at Carrington is Kevin Keij, who becomes United’s new performance analyst. Keij worked with the Eredivisie Champions under the Dutch tactician.

United have also explored the opportunity to sign their star winger, Antony. The 22-year-old is interested in reuniting with Ten Hag, but Ajax’s high fee demand is likely to price out the Brazilian out of a move to the Premier League.