Ajax director of football Marc Overmars would ‘much rather go to Arsenal’ than Newcastle United if he was given the chance.
That’s according to former Netherlands international Rafael van der Vaart who believes the Dutchman may turn down any offers from the Magpies.
Overmars is one of the most highly-rated director of footballs in Europe, having guided Ajax superbly over the last few years.
One of his major skills is his ability to source new talent to sell at a profit in future, with a growing list of players joining the Dutch sides before establishing themselves and making big transfers in future.
It is this ability that has seemingly caught Newcastle’s eye, with it claimed in the Netherlands today that he is on their list of potential recruits for their new Saudi Arabian owners.
They are reportedly keen to install a director of football to lead their rebuild, and Overmars, given his work at Ajax, is seen as an ideal candidate. Van der Vaart, though, can’t see it happening.
“He’s doing so well that everyone wants him,” Van der Vaart told Ziggo Sport, relayed by Voetbal Zone.
“What they have been doing for years, together with Edwin van der Sar, I think is great. It doesn’t surprise me.
“Maybe it is a nice challenge at Newcastle United, but I think he would much rather go to Arsenal. He has more of a connection with that, but I don’t think he’s going to do this.”
One major plus point for a move to Newcastle would be the money on offer, with their owners the richest in the world and willing to splash it in the transfer window.
For Overmars, that would be a distinct change from life at Ajax, where he has always worked with relatively limited funds.
It’s something he’s been highly successful with, and for Dirk Kuyt, the temptation is obvious, although whether it would work is another matter.
“If you see what Marc Overmars has done for Ajax, with his purchase and sales policy, I think he is in a way out of his league at Ajax,” he added.
“He has done a fantastic job. I don’t think there is a better person for that position than him.
“The question is: is he also going to make so much profit for a club that is going to spend many millions?”
