Premier League clubs Arsenal and Manchester City look set to miss out on Dutch International Klaas-Jan Huntelaar after his present club Ajax confirmed that talks are already underway with La Liga Champions Real Madrid about a proposed switch to the Bernabeu in January.

25-year-old Huntelaar opted to stay at the Amsterdam Arena over the summer, despite being heavily linked with a host of top European sides. However, Huntelaar has not signed a new deal with Ajax and recent reports have claimed that the Dutch club are actively looking for a replacement after resigning themselves to losing Huntelaar in the January transfer window.

Despite being heavily linked with City and the Gunners, Ajax have now revealed that talks with Los Merengues have started although no deal has been agreed yet with the Spanish side for the Dutchman.

A statement read: “Ajax are in talks with Real Madrid over the possible sale of Klaas Jan Huntelaar to the Spanish club.

“However no deal has been agreed at the moment.”

Huntelaar has been at Ajax since his move from SC Heerenveen in 2005 and has scored an incredible 75 goals in 90 league appearances during his time at the Amsterdam Arena, making the striker one of the most sought after players in Europe.