Ajax ace switch to Old Trafford is almost a Don deal
MANCHESTER United are set to make Ajax playmaker Donny van de Beek their first signing in a deal that could rise to ¤45m (£40.1m).
United are still yet to add any new players since the window opened almost five weeks ago, but are confident of making Van de Beek, 23, their first summer arrival after talks progressed over the weekend.
M.E.N. Sport understands United are close to finalising agreement over a fee worth just over £40m with Ajax but are yet to agree personal terms with the player and Van de Beek will have to undergo a medical.
Talks between United and Ajax accelerated over the weekend, with Van de Beek left out of the Ajax side to face Eintracht Frankfurt in a friendly on Saturday.
Although Tottenham were heavily linked with Van de Beek, it is understood Spurs do not have the funds to rival United for the Dutchman and Jose Mourinho is focused on signing a back-up striker for Harry Kane.
The M.E.N. revealed United listed Van de Beek among their playmaker options in January, along with Leicester City forward James Maddison and Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish. Leicester and Villa both valued their players at £80m and United cooled their interest in Grealish after Villa avoided relegation back to the Championship.
Van de Beek was widely expected to move to Real Madrid this summer, but the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the La Liga champions out of the running.
At 23, Van de Beek is viewed as the perfect age for a new recruit at Old Trafford, and comes with a wealth of experience in the
Champions League, having played a key role in Ajax’s run to the semifinals in 2018/19.
United are still keen to bolster their squad elsewhere before the start of the new season and remain interested in a move to sign priority target Jadon Sancho.