Bayern Strikes
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If Bayern Munich are to raid Ajax, who should they target?

By Benjamin Scott

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - FEBRUARY 4: David Neres of Ajax celebrates 2-1 with Hakim Ziyech of Ajax, Lasse Schone of Ajax, Matthijs de Ligt of Ajax, Donny van de Beek of Ajax during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax v NAC Breda at the Johan Cruijff Arena on February 4, 2018 in Amsterdam Netherlands (Photo by Erwin Spek/Soccrates/Getty Images)
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - FEBRUARY 4: David Neres of Ajax celebrates 2-1 with Hakim Ziyech of Ajax, Lasse Schone of Ajax, Matthijs de Ligt of Ajax, Donny van de Beek of Ajax during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax v NAC Breda at the Johan Cruijff Arena on February 4, 2018 in Amsterdam Netherlands (Photo by Erwin Spek/Soccrates/Getty Images) /
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Arjen Robben of FC Bayern Munchen, David Neres of Ajax during the UEFA Champions League group E match between Bayern Munich and Ajax Amsterdam at the Allianz Arena on October 02, 2018 in Munich, Germany(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
Arjen Robben of FC Bayern Munchen, David Neres of Ajax during the UEFA Champions League group E match between Bayern Munich and Ajax Amsterdam at the Allianz Arena on October 02, 2018 in Munich, Germany(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images) /

David Neres

Ajax’s other star winger this season, David Neres has not quite reached the level of Hakim Ziyech — but he hasn’t been too far off. The Brazil international (he received his first call-up just two months ago) has had a fantastic 2018-19 campaign, following suit from his breakout 2017-18 season.

The Sao Paulo-born star is one of the hottest young wingers in Europe at the moment, and his departure this summer seems inevitable. There aren’t many clubs across the continent who couldn’t use a player of his talents.

Neres fits the mold of a modern winger incredibly well. He’s equally capable of playing on the right wing and cutting inside on to his preferred left foot or staying wide on the left. In fact, the 22-year-old has played almost an equal number of games on each wing so far this season.

Unlike Ziyech, Neres does possess the sheer pace that is expected of so many wide forwards in today’s game. His game is not quite as refined as his senior teammate, but Neres is still extremely talented on the ball and is a fantastic dribbler. His crossing could use some slight work, but he has the creative skills and ability to put the ball in the back of the net necessary to play for a team like Bayern Munich.

Whether or not the Brazilian could be persuaded to join the German champions if other clubs come calling is another question entirely, but he certainly presents an intriguing option for the Bavarians.

Neres is younger and arguably fits the mold of a Bayern winger a bit bitter than Hakim Ziyech. However, he is not yet as developed and would likely cost significantly more than his teammate.

It’s easy to envision Bayern opting to pursue Ziyech, though, especially with their well-known interest in Chelsea youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi. They may want to add someone with a little more experience under his belt to their wing department to complement the youthful talent found in Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman — and even Alphonso Davies, Wooyeong Jeong and (potentially) Hudson-Odoi.

For that reason, as well as his extremely low price tag, it makes more sense for the Rekordmeister to pursue Hakim Ziyech. However, David Neres would by no means represent a poor signing.