Manchester United are closing in on a move for Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek.According to BBC Sport, the two clubs have agreed a fee in the region of £40 million, with Van de Beek set to sign a five-year contract at Old Trafford.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a keen admirer of the 23-year-old, having watched him on several occasions, and is now ready to make him United’s first signing of the transfer window.Van de Beek played a major role in Ajax’s run to the Champions League finals in 2019, the season in which he truly burst onto the scene.His performances in Europe and the Eredivisie attracted interest from the continent’s top clubs, and he came close to signing for Real Madrid before the coronavirus pandemic.
What makes him so special?
His versatility for a start. Van de Beek can play anywhere across the midfield, playing in defensive, central and attacking midfield at various points for Ajax.
"Van de Beek is perfectly suited to English football,” assessed Sky Sports News reporter Kaveh Solkehol.
“He can also sit deep and he showcased his talents when he played in England in the Champions League against Chelsea and Tottenham in the past 12 months."
Man Utd fans love Van de Beek video
But there’s something else that has caught the eyes of Manchester United fans as they begin to study Van de Beek.
It would appear that he is skilled in the art of s***housery, having riled Feyenoord fans when Ajax travelled to De Kuip in February 2019.
Van de Beek had just given Ajax an unassailable 3-0 lead against their biggest rivals when he decided to run over to the home crowd and flaunt the Ajax badge on his shirt.
Man United fans are desperate to see the Netherlands international reproduce his celebration at Liverpool next season.
Can. You. Imagine.
He’ll certainly write himself into Man United folklore with a similar gesture in front of the Kop, that’s for sure.