Ajax highly-rated midfielder Donny van de Beek is set to leave Amsterdam Arena for Bernabeu after Real Madrid reportedly agreed a £47m deal with the Dutch side.
The midfielder, whose contract expires in June 2022, was one of Ajax stand-out performers as they reached the Champions League semi-final last season. The midfielder has been of Europe’s most wanted midfielders after scoring 12 goals for Ajax last campaign and was also one of the best midfielders with the highest assist in the Dutch league last season.
Van de Beek’s performances have caught the attention of some European big clubs such as Manchester United and Madrid, who have been extensively linked with the Dutchman for a number of months. Recently, the midfielder has dismissed a move away during the January window but the Holland international would be open to the possibility of moving to the Premier League or La Liga.
According to Marca, a deal has been agreed to take the 22-year-old to Bernabeu who is seen as a long-term replacement for Luka Modric who is reportedly set for a Major League Soccer switch. However, the Ajax midfielder will not arrive until next summer. It is claimed in Spain though that Van de Beek’s arrival will mean at least one current Real player will be shown the door.
At present, Zidane boasts a bloated squad in the midfield, with Toni Kroos, Modric, Casemiro, James Rodriguez, Isco and Federico Valverde all vying for a spot in the middle of the park. Zidane has also not hidden the fact he needs to get rid of a number of fringe players to free up wage funds.
The midfielder’s impending summer to move to Madrid comes after the midfielder’s representatives held talks with Manchester United about a move to Old Trafford. Reports claim that United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted the Dutchman to spearhead his midfield following injuries to Scott Mctominay and Paul Pogba. United identified the Dutch, along with James Maddison and Jack Grealish as playmakers they could make a move for in the summer.
Recall that Van de Beek dispelled any rumours linking him with a departure from Holland during the January transfer window earlier this month. He said that he does not want to change clubs in the middle of a season but may reassess his future next summer.
Speaking during Ajax’s mid-season training camp in Qatar, the playmaker said: “It is not that I can or want to do something at the moment.
“I have said it before and I will say it again: I will remain at Ajax this season. And maybe next season as well.
“These reports about Real Madrid or Manchester United are a good sign, but it is not important now. I’ve said I will stay at Ajax and I will do so 100 percent.”
