Real Madrid to beat Manchester United to Ajax midfielder?

Real Madrid are reportedly understood to hold the advantage over Manchester United in the race to sign Donny van de Beek from Ajax.

The Dutchman was fancied to join the Spanish giants last summer and manager Erik ten Hag even acknowledged the transfer approach from Zinedine Zidane's side.

However, the Eredivisie champions were able to convince the Netherlands international to stay put but that may not remain the case at the end of the current campaign.

United have been fancied to sign Van de Beek as a replacement for wantaway midfielder Paul Pogba next summer but it appears that they are behind Los Blancos in the player's pursuit, as per Diario Sport.

Los Blancos have been credited with an interest in Pogba over the past six months but they are also interested in landing the services of Van de Beek, who has been a consistent performer for Ajax over the past 18 months.

Van de Beek has flourished for the Dutch champions in all competitions this term. He has amassed seven goals and six assists from just 24 appearances for the Amsterdam outfit.