French outlet L’Equip is reporting that struggling Ajax are eyeing a move for Paris St Germain talent Étienne Michut.

Ajax have been left stranded in midtable after a disappointing result against AZ Alkmaar, and are in real danger of finishing outside the top four in the Eredivisie for the first time since 2000, and only the third time in 64 years.

That hasn’t stopped them from planning for the future, and they’re believed to have identified Michut as a talent they can mould for the future. He might only be 17, but he has trained with the first team, and it’s believed PSG wishes to keep him in the French capital. However, the player is believed to be having doubts, and that’s set Ajax on red alert.

They may face competition from talent hoovers Manchester City. They are reported to have made contact with the player, with the intention of loaning him to Girona, owned by the same company, to give him some first-team experience. It’s likely if he were to move to Ajax, a route to first-team football would be much quicker coming around.

Étienne is the younger brother of Edouard Michut, the 20-year-old PSG academy graduate. He’s known to English football fans for his spell with Sunderland last season, and he has recently left the club. He went on loan in Turkey with Adana Demirspor, and in January the same club activated a clause in his contract to make the deal permanent.

This weekend, Ajax face a huge game against Utrecht, who are lurking four points behind them in the qualification play-offs for the Conference League.

Site Opinion

It’s interesting – is Étienne being swayed by his brother’s departure, having seen how he failed to breakthrough in Paris? He had a buyout clause in his Sunderland deal, which the club didn’t take up, and is now in Turkey. Perhaps, the younger brother feels his interests are now best served away from Paris.

Ajax might be struggling now, but their identification of Michut, and pursuit, underlines their commitment to investing in the future. The big blow could be a failure to get into Europe. If he were to go on loan to Girona through Man City, he would likely appear in European competition.

Right now, Ajax can’t guarantee that.