Donny van de Beek hopes Ajax agree Real Madrid transfer “soon”

Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek has revealed he hopes a move to Real Madrid can be sorted “soon”.

The 22-year-old has been linked with Real Madrid over the past few weeks, with Los Blancos looking to bolster their midfield ahead of the new season.

Will Van de Beek sign for Madrid? Five things to know…

• Van de Beek made 57 appearances for Ajax in all competitions last season.
• The midfielder scored 17 goals and added a further 13 assists.
• His form for Ajax has seen him linked with a move to Real Madrid.
• Los Blancos have also been linked with Christian Eriksen and Paul Pogba.
• But a move for Van de Beek appears close, with the midfielder hoping it is settled “soon”.

Real Madrid, who endured a disappointing season last time out, have spent big this summer in hopes of a fresh start, already adding Eden Hazard, Luka Jovic, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo Goes to their squad.

Van de Beek was one of many players to impress in Ajax’s return to the top of Dutch football in 2018/19, completing the league and cup double, as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League.

The Dutch side’s journey to the semi-finals, which ultimately ended with heartbreak in a dramatic tie against Tottenham Hotspur, saw Ajax see off Real Madrid in the last-16 – winning 4-1 at the Bernabeu.

But Ajax’s side has already been pulled apart by European giants this summer, with Frenkie de Jong signing for Barcelona and Matthijs de Ligt joining Juventus among other departures.

And it appears Van de Beek, who has been at Ajax since he was 11, could be the latest to leave the Johan Cruyff Arena.

“It is no secret that my future is being discussed with Ajax,” he told reporters.

“Talks about a potential move are ongoing and hopefully we will reach a conclusion soon.

“However, for now I am focused on Ajax and I will play in the game with PAOK later this week.”

Despite the conversations surrounding his future, Van de Beek has started the new season in good form, scoring two goals and recording two assists in Ajax’s opening two Eredivisie games – no player has more assists for the club so far.

Real Madrid had previously been linked with moves for Christian Eriksen and Paul Pogba, but any deal for either of those stars looks unlikely following the close of the Premier League transfer window.

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Where could Van de Beek fit in at Real Madrid?

Real Madrid are not short of attacking options this season, after adding the likes of Jovic and Hazard to an already powerful offensive line.

But the arrival of Van de Beek could give them something different from midfield, whether he plays deeper alongside Casemiro or further forward in his favoured attacking role.

In pre-season, Zinedine Zidane has experimented with formations, but given the players at his disposal, the Frenchman may be tempted to stick with a 4-2-3-1.

And if Van de Beek does arrive, it would be good to see him as part of that attacking three, with Hazard and potentially Vazquez either side of him.