Despite losing one of their most gifted striking talents to Liverpool last week, Ajax need not worry where the goals will come from this term. The Dutch giants, the feeder club of choice for Europe’s biggest clubs, unearthed a diamond 18 months ago when they picked up Klaas Jan Huntelaar from SC Heerenveen.

This unknown talent would further cement his place amongst the Eredivisie division’s best strikers with an astounding return of 24 goals in 25 games to help Ajax finish fourth in the 2005-6 season. The young Dutchman makes up for his lack of pace with an incredible eye for goal.

Able to score with either foot, his head, from free kicks or penalties, Huntelaar is a threat anywhere on the pitch. With the 24-year-old leading Ajax’s front line for what will likely be his last season, the Amsterdam club will again challenge domestically on all fronts, while hoping to have a strong run in Europe.

'Able to score with either foot, his head, from free kicks or penalties, Huntelaar is a threat anywhere on the pitch'


Huntelaar’s predatory abilities were first spotted by PSV, who signed the 16-year-old in 2000. Two loan spells and 26 goals later, he parted ways with PSV and signed with Heerenveen for a mere €100,000. Huntelaar would score 20 goals in 38 games to lead Heerenveen to a UEFA Cup spot for only the third time in their history. He hit fine form again in 2005-06 (21 goals in 22 games) and Ajax splashed €9m to land him. He hasn’t disappointed - scoring 60 goals in all competitions in just 76 outings.

Huntelaar has been linked with the likes of Manchester United and Juventus. But with United seemingly set on signing West Ham’s Carlos Tevez, Juventus are favourites to land the player some have labelled the next Marco Van Basten.

In addition, here are five of the hottest young striking talents who are more than likely to make an impact in 2007-8:

Nicklas Bendtner – The young Danish striker had a successful loan spell last year where he scored 11 goals for promotion-bound Birmingham, and will now be hoping to translate that into a larger role with the Henry-less Gunners. Already a fixture with the Danish national team (three goals in eight games), Bendtner’s power and height (6ft 3in) make him a difficult proposition for any defender to handle.

James Vaughan – The youngest scorer in Premier League history, Vaughan’s season last year was plagued by injury. While Everton will rely heavily on Andy Johnson next term for goals, a fit and firing Vaughan may be the key to a successful season for the Goodison club.

Lukas Podolski – The Polish-born German had a strong World Cup in 2006 where he led the tournament with five goals. Nut he struggled with Bayern Munich last year, scoring just four goals in 22 games. A dominant scorer at international level (22 goals in 38 games), Podolski may see his playing time decrease with the arrival of Luca Toni from Fiorentina.

Alexandre Pato – The 17-year-old Brazilian striker, nicknamed 'The Duck', is being linked with the likes of Chelsea and AC Milan. Nine goals in 22 games for Internacional announced his arrival on the Brazilian stage and he’ll most likely be displaying his talents on the European stage in the near future.

Nilmar – Signed by Lyon in 2004, Nilmar struggled in the French League and was eventually loaned to Corinthians, where he formed an explosive partnership with Carlos Tevez. His 31 goals in 55 games should earn this 22-year-old another shot at success in Europe.

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