Ajax’s fantastic academy, which has churned out several world-class stars, was in the limelight in the 2018-19 season after winning the Dutch league as well as progressing to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
The Dutch side beat Real Madrid and Juventus, before being knocked out by Tottenham Hotspur in the semi-final.
One of the many stars in the team was Donny van de Beek, another Ajax academy graduate.
The 23-year-old is keen on moving away from Ajax before the start of the next season, as per football expert Marcel Van der Kraan.
While talking to TalkSport, Van der Kraan had this to say about van de Beek’s future: “Donny van de Beek has his eyes set on the Premier League. I think he’s a proper Premier League player – he’s got a big tank, he’s got the education from Ajax, he can play in more positions in midfield.
“I think he’s got his eyes set on a club like Man United or Tottenham Hotspur. I’ve been talking to his agent, and he said if that would materialise it would be something right up his street.”
Van de Beek’s current contract with the club expires in 2022. The Dutchman made his senior team debut in 2015 and has gone on to become an important player for Ajax since.
Why Manchester United should make a move for Donny van de Beek
Manchester United are in dire need of central midfielders who are creative and can dominate the midfield, something that the club have been lacking for years.
Van de Beek is not just a goal threat from midfield, but is also someone who can assist from the heart of the pitch.
The midfielder scored 17 goals in all competitions while racking up 13 assists in the 2018-19 season, which proved to be an even better year than the 2017-18 season, where he scored 13 goals.
The 23-year-old often makes runs into the penalty box, providing support to the frontmen of the team, and his late runs into the box have caught many opposition defences napping.
With Ander Herrera leaving the club, and Fred flopping in his first season, United need a few midfielders who have the drive to attack and cause havoc in the opposition penalty area, so they should go all out for van de Beek.