Tuesday 2nd December 2008 Ajax deny Real deal for skipper
Ajax have denied they have sold their sought-after captain Klaas Jan Huntelaar to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Reports in Spain and Holland earlier suggested a deal had been done to take the 25-year-old striker to the Bernabeu, with some suggesting an announcement would be made within 48 hours.
Tonight's statement from Ajax has sought to water down such speculation, but it did not rule out the possibility of a deal being done.
The statement on the club's official website
www.ajax.nl read: "There have been several media reports about a transfer of Klaas Jan Huntelaar to Real Madrid. The reports about an agreement between Ajax and Real Madrid are false, Ajax did not sell Huntelaar to Real Madrid."
Huntelaar courted the interest of a number of clubs during the summer with Ajax reported to have turned down a big-money bid from Manchester City, while Madrid and Manchester United were also apparently keen admirers.
Madrid's interest has intensified in recent weeks following a season-ending injury to their Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Huntelaar is currently sidelined with an ankle injury, sustained at the start of November, and is not set to return until just before the start of the January transfer window.
Speculation he could be a Madrid player in time for his recovery gained further momentum today when Madrid president Ramon Calderon revealed the club were "very close to signing a winger and a striker in January".
He added: "I've been told they are young and quick and they will come to reinforce the team."
RESUMIENDO: el Ajax desmiente que haya vendido a Huntelaar, reconocen que el Madrid ha hecho una oferta que el Ajax estudirá en 48 horas, el acuerdo aún no existe, este verano les han ofrecido mucho dinero el Manchester City así hen tenido interés en el jugador muchos otros equipos, entre ellos el Manchester United y el Madrid, que está ahora lesionado y podría estar listo para regresar en enero, el Ajax no ha vendido a Huntelaar, la especulacíon viene de las declaraciones de Calderón que dice "el acuerdo está cerca"...