Arsenal and United to Battle for Stekelenburg

Ajax are braced for a January bidding war between Manchester United and Arsenal for goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.

The Premier League giants have both been scouting the 6’6″ shot-stopper in recent weeks and are set to do battle for the Netherlands international when the transfer window opens.

But the bidding for Stekelenburg will start at €11 million, with Ajax refusing to let him leave on the cheap.

The 28-year-old was watched by United scouts as he starred for the Netherlands against Finland last month and again last week when he played for Ajax against Milan in the Champions League.

Arsenal have also sent representatives to watch Stekelenburg in recent weeks as manager Arsene Wenger finally looks to address his goalkeeping situation and bring in a reliable No.1 to replace the error-prone Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski.

The Gunners have been heavily linked with 38-year-old Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer but Stekelenburg represents a more realistic long-term option.

Stekelenburg put up a strong fight in the recent 2010 FIFA World Cup when taking over from Edwin Van Der Sar. He played most of the matches in the World Cup. He made a number of crucial saves as well before heading into the final where he let in Iniesta’s goal in extra-time.

Neither club have yet made a formal bid for Stekelenburg, who has spent his whole career at Ajax since making his debut in February 2002. But they could be set to go head-to-head in January in a two-way battle for his signature.