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Real Madrid Transfer Target Donny van de Beek Hints at Ajax Stay in 2019-20

Rory Marsden@@roomarsdenX.com LogoFeatured ColumnistAugust 14, 2019

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - AUGUST 10: Donny van de Beek of Ajax  during the Dutch Eredivisie  match between Ajax v FC Emmen at the Johan Cruijff Arena on August 10, 2019 in Amsterdam Netherlands (Photo by Soccrates/Getty Images)
Soccrates Images/Getty Images

Donny van de Beek has said there is "a very good chance" he will stay at Ajax despite interest from Real Madrid

The 22-year-old recently confirmed to Fox Sports (h/t Carlos Forjanes of AS) the Spanish giants "are interested" in signing him.

He has emerged as a midfield target for Los Blancos after moves for Manchester United's Paul Pogba and Tottenham Hotspur's Christian Eriksen failed to materialise.

But it now looks as though Real could miss out on Van de Beek also after he said he could well remain at Ajax, per Ziggo Sport (h/t Goal's Joe Wright):

"[Real are] a fantastic club, but Ajax are too. I've nothing to complain about in that regard. There's a very good chance I'll continue playing here, but nothing is certain yet."

The Dutchman added that he hopes his future will be resolved soon as he is "a bit fed up with all the questions about it."

Van de Beek played a key role in Ajax's superb 2018-19 season, where they won the Eredivisie for the first time since 2014 and made the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League:

Football on BT Sport @btsportfootball

Real Madrid are reportedly close to agreeing a deal for Ajax midfielder Donny Van de Beek. ❌❌❌ The Dutch midfielder turned heads with his performances in the Champions League last season 👌 https://t.co/KNfe5d9Men

He netted nine goals and provided 10 assists in the Dutch top flight last season, and he has started the new campaign in similarly fine form:

Statman Dave @StatmanDave

Donny van de Beek created 5 chances vs. Vitesse, no player created more on the opening weekend of the Eredivisie season. Maradonny. 💎💎💎 https://t.co/dLMLLwpAa8

Ajax manager Erik ten Hag has lost some crucial players over the summer, most notably midfielder Frenkie de Jong and centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, who have joined Barcelona and Juventus, respectively:

Football on BT Sport @btsportfootball

De Ligt - Gone De Jong - Gone Schone - Gone Van de Beek - Possibly going... Ziyech - STAYING ✅ Ajax have tied talented winger Hakim Ziyech down with a contract extension to 2022 🙌 https://t.co/rklnN47D7H

If the Amsterdam giants keep hold of Van de Beek, though, it will be a big boost for their ambitions in 2019-20.

They do not necessarily have any need to sell the Netherlands international as he is contracted to the club until 2022, and if he has another fine campaign at Ajax, he will likely only be worth more next summer.