Ajax star Donny van de Beek has his sights set on joining Real Madrid after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer demanded Manchester United try and sign him this transfer window.
Donny van de Beek is desperate to join Real Madrid this summer in a blow to Manchester United’s hopes, Daily Star Sport understands.
The Netherlands international has become one of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s main targets in a frustrating summer.
The Red Devils have been looking to land Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish but have been quoted asking prices of £110m and £80m respectively.
For United chief executive Ed Woodward, those are prices that are not fathomable in today’s economic climate.
Van de Beek has long been on the radar at Old Trafford after months of scouting reports.
However, Solskjaer has personally intervened in an attempt to hurry up a deal.
But in another blow to the Norwegian, Van de Beek has his sights set on moving to Real Madrid this summer.
Daily Star Sport understands that the 23-year-old wants to move to the Spanish capital and is infatuated with the idea of playing for the La Liga champions.
Furthermore, Real are keen on signing the Ajax ace - but funds may be a problem.
The Dutchman has been on Los Blancos’ shortlist since last summer as they look to long-term replacements to Luka Modric.
Van de Beek would cost somewhere in the region of £40m-£50m and Madrid chief Florentino Perez has already stated that there would be no seismic signings this summer.
"No (there won't be big signings this summer)," he said after Real won the league.
"The situation is really bad. It's hard to ask the players to take a pay cut to help deal with it and then make signings. That can wait."
"Madrid will sign the best again when the situation changes."
Regardless, United’s transfer ambitions have taken a further blow as Solskjaer chases his first signing of the summer.