Is it 2019 all over again?
Last summer, after Ajax reached the semifinals of the Champions League, Europe’s biggest clubs began dismantling an incredible group of youngsters in Amsterdam.
In the last 12 months, Chelsea have signed Hakin Ziyech, Frenkie de Jong joined Barcelona, while Juventus secured centre-half Matthijs de Ligt.
Despite an avalanche of rumours linking Man United and Real Madrid to midfielder Donny van de Beek, the 23-year-old remained in the Dutch capital for the 2019-20 season.
Van de Beek, who has scored 8 goals in the league this season and chipped in with 6 assists, is under contract at Ajax until 2022.
On Sunday, reports in England and Holland claim that Real Madrid and Man United are trying to sign Van de Beek all over again.

Sunday Times & Telegraaf

According to Dutch paper Telegraaf, Real Madrid are in pole position to land Van de Beek, however the Covid-19 pandemic has muddied the waters.
Readers are told that Real Madrid had already agreed a €50 million deal with Ajax for their Dutch international.
However, Los Blancos are now weighing up their financial position in light of the coronavirus crisis.
Telegraaf report that there’s now much more uncertainty over Real Madrid’s desire to complete the Van de Beek deal.
Within this context, Man United are considering whether to attempt to hijack Real Madrid’s possible transfer move.
Telegraaf also outline the following key points:
– Man United contacted Ajax last week to discuss Van de Beek’s availability.
– Ajax are frustrated with Real Madrid’s current position, while they are open to selling the midfielder to Old Trafford.
– While Van de Beek had given the green light to moving to Madrid, he’d also consider moving to Man United.
Over in the Sunday Times, Man United’s interest in Van de Beek is also rubber-stamped as readers are told:
Manchester United have renewed their interest in Donny van de Beek and are weighing up a bid to snatch Ajax’s young midfield talent ahead of Real Madrid.
Capable of playing as a right-sided No 8 or at No 10, Van de Beek has scored 40 times for his club in the past three seasons and may be a player who would satisfy both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s desire for more goals from midfield and to continue refreshing his United squad with youth.

Man United’s big problem: transfer fee

It’s far from clearcut that Man United will win the race to sign Donny van de Beek.
While Real Madrid are reevaluating their financial muscle in this post Covid world, Man United also have their financial constraints too.
Accordingly, Sunday Times reporter Jonathan Northcroft believes that United are trying to lower the asking fee f0r Ajax’s midfielder:
Van de Beek, 23, has agreed the outline of a deal to join the Spanish giants for €55 million (about £49 million) but the financial crisis in La Liga caused by Covid-19 has left him uncertain whether Real can execute the transfer this summer, creating an opportunity United are considering exploiting.
Having looked into signing Van de Beek last August, United are now seriously examining him as a target again — though Woodward may look to try to secure a deal at closer to the £36 million mark.
Will Ajax agree to such a valuation?

Where would Donny van de Beek fit into Man United’s XI?

How many midfielders does Ole Gunnar Solskjaer need in his squad?
When the Premier League restarts in 10 days’ time, United fans can look forward to seeing Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes in the same team for the first time.
It’s unclear whether Solskjaer will field a 4-3-3 formation or a 4-2-3-1 lineup once he has Pogba and Bruno to pick.
However, add Van de Beek into the mix, while remembering that Scott McTominay and Fred are also vying for a starting spot, and things begin to look cluttered.
Should Man United only sign Van de Beek if they can sell Pogba?

What happened when Paul Pogba faced off against Bruno Fernandes

On Saturday, there was an 11 versus 11 match at an empty Old Trafford between two Man United XIs.
Some match facts have been circulated on social media, including the goalscorers in the game.
The Mirror have also confirmed that Paul Pogba faced off against Bruno Fernandes in the match:
(This marked) the first time Pogba and Fernandes (took) to the pitch together – albeit on opposite teams.
It’s far too early to tell if Solskjaer played Pogba and Fernandes in different teams to highlight question-marks if they can both fit into the same XI.
The Sun have also revealed a few more details on the teams on Saturday:
Harry Maguire lead the ‘home’ side playing in red with Bruno Fernandes part of the golden ‘away’ team.