A few months ago, Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported Donny van de Beek to Real Madrid was a done deal. The midfielder would move in the summer transfer window, and it was another example of Ajax’s great transfer business.
Over in Madrid they dismissed this, saying there was the opportunity to sign Van de Beek, but no decision had been made.
The whole thing felt like marketing, something De Telegraaf have appeared to do for Ajax previously. This time it didn’t work, and Van de Beek is still at the Amsterdam club.
Madrid, Tottenham and Manchester United continue to be linked, and Saturday’s edition of Sport claims the latter two have initiated contact over signing the player.
Unless Ajax drop their €55m asking price, then he’ll be waiting a while, because Barca don’t want to pay such a sum. Tottenham and Manchester United may well feel 
differently, and there’s even a chance Van de Beek moves for a lower figure before the window closes.
Barca don’t appear to be in any hurry to sign him, and Madrid’s local media has been calm about any potential interest from Zinedine Zidane, so Ajax’s chances of an auction don’t currently look so strong.
