The next Dutch superstar has arrived
Remember the name Myron Boadu as you will probably be hearing it a lot in the coming years. At 19 years old Boadu is one of the hottest talents coming out of the Netherlands, but for once it’s not coming from Ajax. In fact, Boadu turned down the chance to play for the Dutch giants as well as English club Arsenal in order to continue his development at AZ Alkmaar, a decision that seems to be working out just fine despite a rocky start with injuries.
Boadu had 18 goals in 31 games this season as AZ Alkmaar challenged Ajax for the title and qualified from their Europa League group behind Manchester United. Unfortunately, they fell at the round of 32 to the Austrian side LASK but continued to push Ajax in the Eredivisie until the season was canceled due to COVID-19. At the time of the stoppage, AZ was second behind Ajax only on goal difference and Boadu had scored 14 goals in 24 matches.
Born to Ghanaian parents in Amsterdam, Boadu decided to represent the Netherlands at the International level and scored on his debut during a comfortable 5-0 win over Estonia in November 2019. This sort of form has attracted Premier League team Newcastle United, while Arsenal, who he previously rejected, has kept tabs on the youngster as a possible replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang whose contract runs out at the end of next season.
England isn’t his only option though as the fallen giants of Italian football, AC Milan, are also monitoring the forward who can play through the middle or wide left in a front three. None of those three teams are likely to be put off by the currently reported €20 million price tag.
The striker has talked, however, in the past about not leaving AZ Alkmaar without winning something and the bond he has formed with fellow academy graduates Calvin Stengs, Teun Koopmeiners, and Owen Wijndal could see him stay with AZ for at least another couple of years with all four contracts not expiring until 2023. In particular, his partnership with Stengs has caught a lot of attention with breakingthelines.com calling it ‘almost telepathic’.
At such a young age there are obviously areas of opportunity for the talented forward which might be helped by staying at AZ and developing in an environment he has grown used to. Not to mention a continuation of this form or better over the next year or two could see AZ demand a fee miles north of the €20 million currently reported. Unfortunately for AZ once the big clubs come sniffing around it’s hard to get them to leave and should one come calling this summer it might be difficult for Boadu to turn down.
