Manchester United appear to be edging closer to the club’s first major signing of the summer.
BBC Sport reported United are keen on Donny van de Beek, who was left out of Ajax’s friendly on Saturday afternoon.
No official bid has yet been made, but Ajax appear ready to let the Dutchman leave.
Ajax manager Erik Ten Haag’s comments after the match were also very telling. He said the club would not stand in Van de Beek’s way.
Ten Haag told Voetball International: “Agreements have been made with him for a transfer so when this opportunity arrives for him, we will cooperate. Provided it goes in the right way for all parties.
“He is an absolute key player for us, a very modern midfielder with lots of depth in his play. It’s clear that we will miss him a lot once he’s gone.”
Positive signs
United are reported to be front runners to land Van de Beek, ESPN report, playing down interest from Barcelona.
Edwin van der Sar is Ajax’s CEO, which while it offers no guarantees, see Matthijs de Ligt, it certainly makes talks easier for the Red Devils.
Unlike the De Ligt situation last summer, United now have Champions League football to offer Van de Beek.
These reports about United’s ‘interest’ would not be coming out if that was all it was, not amid quotes from Ten Haag and Van de Beek being left out of the squad.
This is the type of smart deal United need to make. Van de Beek offers squad depth and is an upgrade on the likes of Andreas Pereira and Jesse Lingard.
United wanted to get the Jadon Sancho deal done early and then work around that, but the club cannot wait forever, when there are other positions of need.
Unlike Sancho and Dortmund, Ajax are not going to stand in Van de Beek’s way. They are willing sellers, providing Ed Woodward does not mess them around financially.
A move for Van de Beek still offers flexibility financially, with The Times previously reporting United could land him for just £36 million.
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