Sontje Hansen: 6 Things to Know About Ajax Youngster Linked With a Move Away
The transfer market never stops - not even in a global pandemic.
Agents and club officials across Europe and indeed the world will be on the phone and on email non-stop as they look to broker deals ahead of this summer's window.
Ajax is one club that will inevitably have plenty of people making contact and enquiring about the latest talent from their infamous academy, and it seems this year will be no different.
Reports have emerged claiming that Pep Guardiola's Manchester City are evaluating the highly-rated Ajax striker Sontje Hansen. The 17-year-old has been valued at just £6m, which would be an absolute snip for a player of Hansen's promise.
But just who is Sontje Hansen? Here's everything you need to know.
Golden Boot Winner
During the 2019 Under-17 World Cup in Brazil, the Ajax youngster introduced himself on the world stage as an elite prospect. Hansen notched six goals for the Netherlands to win the Golden Boot in a run that saw his country reach the semi-finals.
His best game of the tournament included a hat-trick against Nigeria, which was a complete display of accomplished finishing. It was a tournament that the striker started slowly, not scoring in the first two matches, before going on a three-match hot streak.
First-Team Experience
Continuing Ajax's great history of blooding their youth prospects, Hansen has already enjoyed game time in the first team this season.
The 17-year-old made his first appearance in the Dutch cup against Telstar for his first professional appearance. Not content there, Hansen made his Eredivisie debut just four days later, coming on as a substitute against ADO Den Haag.
Sontje's 18th birthday is more than a month away.
Antoine Griezmann-Approved
During Hansen's prolific Under-17 World Cup campaign, the Dutch youngster received some support from a surprising source - Barcelona's Antoine Griezmann.
Griezmann had been watching the striker's progress in Brazil and had recorded a message of support for the player. It included a new nickname, 'Little Boss' and an invitation to meet up when Hansen returned to Europe.
It's inconclusive whether they did in fact meet up, but the Frenchman's respect is a pretty strong endorsement.
Contract Expiring
The reason for the exceptionally low valuation of the youngster is that Hansen's current deal runs out next summer, in June 2021. While it might seem like a decent amount of time before the player's contract expires, in football terms, this is the time where agents come to the fore.
What is likely to follow is a tug of war between the player's representatives and the club. All of these negotiations are an attempt to secure the best possible outcome for the player - whether that's a pay increase or changing clubs.
Hansen's agent could make it clear that the player won't sign another contract at the club, meaning that any prospective buyers can wait until next summer to sign Hansen for free.
If the club decides they should cash in with the player unwilling to sign a new contract, his fee will be well below market value. Potential suitors know they would only have to wait a year to get the player for nothing.
High-profile cases such as Mesut Özil, Alexis Sanchez and even Sunderland's Josh Maja, illustrate the player power now seen in top-flight football.
Euro Under-17 Champion
In an action-packed 2019 for Hansen, his Netherlands side became back-to-back Under-17 European Champions with a dominant performance in the Republic of Ireland.
The Oranje had already set a marker down in the tournament by thrashing England 5-2 in the group stages, with Hansen curling home his side's third.
In the final against Italy, Hansen got the team off to the best possible start by opening the scoring, pouncing on a rebound to slot home. The Netherlands would run away with the result, winning conclusively 4-2.
Again, Hansen brought his shooting boots, finishing as his country's top scorer with three goals alongside Ajax teammate Brian Brobbey.
He Idolises Cristiano Ronaldo
Hansen's coaches have bristled over the versatility that the forward has already showcased. The Dutchman can be utilised in multiple positions - as a winger, as a number ten or even dropping deeper into the 'false nine' role.
Hansen's preferred position remains through the middle but this adaptability across the frontline mirrors the game of the youngster's idol, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Whether his love of the Portuguese legend means City fans will eventually be heartbroken as Hansen ends up in a Madrid shirt, we'll just have to find out.