Man Utd to hijack Real Madrid’s £49m transfer for Donny van de Beek – but will bid just £36m for Ajax ace
MANCHESTER UNITED reportedly want to hijack Real Madrid's transfer swoop for Donny van de Beek - but will offer Ajax £13million less than Los Blancos.
Van de Beek announced himself on the European stage with his performances during his side's remarkable run to the Champions League semi-finals last year.
Both United and Madrid have shown interest ever since in the 23-year-old midfielder, although a move failed to materialise last summer.
Van de Beek saw his team-mates Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt both leave for a combined £142.5m while Hakim Ziyech will join Chelsea ahead of next season.
Now, though, the claims Real Madrid were preparing to offer £49m to lure the Dutch international away from Amsterdam as well.
But with the coronavirus crisis set to have a major impact on clubs' finances, especially when it comes to transfers, Real's deal could fall through.
And the report adds that Manchester United are ready to pounce - by offering £36m instead.
Van de Beek came through the academy at Ajax and has racked up 41 goals in 175 first-team appearances.
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He still has two years left to run on his current contract but the Eredivisie side - who were denied the title when the season was suspended - face a battle to keep hold of him once again.
For Real Madrid, he could be seen as a long-term replacement to the likes of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, 34 and 30 respectively.
Zinedine Zidane has also been a long-term admirer of compatriot Paul Pogba, who would play in a similar central midfield role to Van de Beek if he joined from Old Trafford.
The two heavyweights are also battling it out for two other bright young talents.
Reports this weekend stated Los Blancos' offer of £71m for Kai Havertz, 20, and the chance to loan him back to Bayer Leverkusen for next season were rejected by the Bundesliga side.
United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Bayern Munich are also being linked with Havertz.
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And 17-year-old Eduardo Camavinga is at the centre of a tug of war between the Red Devils and Real Madrid, too.
Rennes' teenage sensation is already being tipped for big things in the game so both clubs are desperate not to miss out and could offer in the region of £25m for the holding midfielder.
However, the Ligue 1 side, who have qualified for the Champions League, set their asking price at around £60m for their youngest first-team debutant.
