Pranav Nair
Manchester United agree Donny van de Beek transfer
According to The Guardian, Manchester United have reached an agreement with Ajax Amsterdam to sign midfielder Donny van de Beek.
The transfer will be worth an initial £35.7million plus add-ons. United have also agreed upon personal terms with the player on a deal until 2025.
Once done, this will be the club’s first senior addition this summer. A young player with considerable experience in the Champions League, Van de Beek is a shrewd capture by the club.
Interest in the player was high, with both Barcelona and Real Madrid keeping tabs. United have however beaten them to the signing, thanks to keeping in touch with his agents and their strong links with the Eredivisie champions.
The presence of former United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who is Ajax’s chief executive, will also have helped our cause. According to the report, the transfer is expected to be completed this week.
A player who was also tracked by Tottenham, Van de Beek has made 175 appearances for Ajax. During this time he has scored 41 goals and 34 assists. (h/t Transfermarkt)
A proven player
The 23-year-old caught the club’s eye in Ajax’s run to the UEFA Champions League semifinals in 2018. He scored key goals against both Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur, leading his side to within seconds of making the final.
Signing Van de Beek is a coup for United. Not only is the Dutchman a much cheaper alternative to Grealish but is also proven at Europe’s top table.
More Manchester United News
- Manchester United enter the race for Thiago Alcantara
- Harry Maguire given an extended break from Manchester United training
- Manchester United to go up against Liverpool for Patson Daka
A player wth a tremendous engine, the prospect of pairing Van de Beek alongside Paul pogba and Bruno Fernandes could be a gamechanger.
In theory, the attributes of the trio should complement each other in creating a dynamic midfield that is hard to pin down.
United are also in the market for a centre-back and have identified Dayot Upamecano as their top target.
