UP THE DONNY Man Utd beaten to Donny van de Beek by Real Madrid after snubbing cut-price £20m transfer in summer

REAL MADRID are hot favourites to beat Manchester United to Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek – after turning down a cut-price deal to sign him last summer.

Posted Sunday, January 12, 2020 by Thesun.co.uk

United could have got the 22-year-old Ajax starlet for £20million in the last transfer window, but chose not to see the deal through.

UP THE DONNY Man Utd beaten to Donny van de Beek by Real Madrid after snubbing cut-price £20m transfer in summer
Donny van de Beek is set for Real Madrid despite Man Utd interest Credit: Getty - Contributor

A change of heart has seen them return for van de Beek, but Real have stolen a march and have already agreed to match the near £47million asking price.

United were so keen in the summer that they actually held extensive talks with the player’s representatives, before deciding against it.

But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is desperate to add more creativity to his midfield if he is to mount a serious top four challenge, meaning Old Trafford’s top brass made a return bid.

Yet van de Beek is almost certain to move to the Bernabeu instead, leaving United red-faced at blowing their earlier opportunity.

Van de Beek, a product of the famed Ajax academy, was in the team which lost to United in the Europa League final three years ago.

He was a key member of the side which agonisingly lost out on a Champions League final slot to Spurs last term, albeit with the consolation of a domestic league and cup double.

Van de Beek, whose wages will quadruple to £100,000 a week in Spain, is also sure to be in Holland’s Euro squad for next summer’s finals.