Manchester United have once again been linked with a move for Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek, as per reports.
The 23-year-old midfielder has been linked with a move away from the Dutch club, but a potential transfer will not be smooth-sailing considering the tough financial position the clubs are currently in.
The Times have reported that the Red Devils are in the race to sign the Dutchman, and will battle it out with Real Madrid for van de Beek’s signature.
Real Madrid were frontrunners to sign the midfielder, but the pandemic has hit the Whites, as well as other La Liga clubs, hard, and they may not have the funds to complete the deal.
Ajax CEO, Edwin van der Sar, who previously played for Manchester United, has also confirmed that United are interested in signing the midfielder.
Donny van de Beek – Who would he replace in the team?
Manchester United look stronger in midfield following the signing of Bruno Fernandes, who has galvanised the team, despite his brief time with the club so far.
The promising form of Fred and Scott McTominay is also an encouraging sign that things are on the up at Old Trafford. Paul Pogba’s return to the squad, following his spell out of action due to injury, is also a big bonus for the Premier League side.
But, the future of the Frenchman at Old Trafford is still up in the air. If Pogba leaves the club before the start of the 2020-21 season, and United sign Donny van de Beek, the Dutchman would then be a readymade replacement for the French midfielder. However, if Pogba stays and van de Beek signs for the Red Devils, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will still have numerous options.
The Red Devils will need a combative midfielder like Fred or McTominay, alongside a more attack-minded midfielder like Pogba or van de Beek, which means that the latter could be used as an alternate option for Pogba, or an alternate option for Bruno Fernandes in the No. 10 role.
We could also see Pogba play off the left in place of Marcus Rashford, with the English attacker replacing Anthony Martial as the main striker.
That could result in a midfield of Pogba, van de Beek, Fred/McTominay, and Bruno Fernandes, with either Daniel James or a new signing playing as the right-winger.