Real Madrid will reportedly look to target Ajax playmaker Donny van de Beek in 2020 as Zinedine Zidane eyes reinforcements for midfield.
According to Spanish publication AS, Donny van de Beek will be back on the agenda at Real Madrid in the summer of 2020, with the club looking to add some quality and replenish their options in midfield. The Ajax star is reportedly a Real target for next summer.
The report explains that Donny van de Beek was a target for Real Madrid in the recently concluded transfer window as well. In fact, the Spanish giants were close to agreeing a deal and sealing the transfer, only for them to put it on hold to pursue Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba instead.
With Pogba staying put, Real Madrid were left without any midfield signings, despite allowing Marcos Llorente and Dani Ceballos to leave, along with Mateo Kovacic. Zinedine Zidane’s men now find themselves four points adrift of league leaders Atletico Madrid, only three games into the season.
But, the move or lack thereof, could benefit Real Madrid in their bid to land Donny van de Beek next summer. Florentino Perez had splashed the cash heavily to bring in reinforcements at desired positions this season, spending close to €300 million on players in the recently concluded transfer window.
Pursuing van de Beek in the summer of 2020 will benefit Real Madrid as it would count towards the FFP limit for the new season. Also, Ajax would have not been too receptive of the prospect of losing van de Beek in the same window they saw key stars like Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong and Kasper Dolberg leave for newer pastures.
Donny van de Beek did have a stellar 2018-19, much like his fellow stars de Ligt and de Jong. van de Beek recorded 17 goals and 13 assists in all competitions. His start to the 2019-20 season has been positive as well, recording 2 goals and 3 assists in 3 just Eredivisie matches so far.
The fee mooted in the summer was €50 million. But, that may be subject to a rise if van de Beek steps up and has a better season than 2018-19, especially with relatively more responsibility on his shoulders after the departure of key Ajax players.
Real Madrid though, would not mind the increase in price tag. His age and valuation would make him a better proposition than current priority target Paul Pogba. At 22, van de Beek fits the new Real Madrid transfer philosophy and despite his age, he seems ready to take on the mantle of being a regular for Real while also being a player for the long-term.
