Donny van de Beek provides update on 'messy' transfer issues amid Manchester United interest

Matt Davies14 August 2020

Donny van de Beek insists he will not complain should he remain at Ajax this summer after admitting it has been a "messy" time for him amid links to Manchester United and Real Madrid.

The Netherlands international has become a pivotal player for the Dutch giants, scoring eight goals and providing six assists in 23 league games as Ajax claimed the Eredivisie title in a curtailed season.

Ajax CEO Edwin van der Sar in June revealed both United and Madrid had made contact over a potential summer move, but insisted the club's "strong financial policy" means they are not required to sell.

Van de Beek - who has two years remaining on his Ajax contract - played 45 minutes as Ajax beat Utrecht 5-1 in a pre-season friendly on Thursday.

And though acknowledging his situation would likely be different had it not been for the coronavirus pandemic, the 23-year-old midfielder insists another season at the Johan Cruijff ArenA would not be a problem.

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"It is very messy, in any case a very messy period in terms of transfers," Van de Beek told Fox Sports. "Nothing is certain yet. I am still a player of Ajax and I am still proud to be there.

"If there had not been the coronavirus, it might have been different now. There is no clarity now and we have to wait and see how it turns out.

"I'm still here and after all these years I still have a lot of fun. If I also play at Ajax next season, I still have a lot of fun. You won't hear me complaining."

Standard Sport understands United's priority signing remains Jadon Sancho this summer, though they do have a list of alternatives ready should a deal prove impossible.

Though not a like-for-like comparison, ian de Beek would be a cheaper alternative to Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish, who has also been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford.