After reports came out with Liverpool being linked to Ajax star Donny Van De Beek, the fans of the club were excited. The attack minded midfielder has scored 9 goals in 34 league games this season adding an impressive tally of 10 assists also. Van De Beek could be the perfect fit for Jurgen Klopp’s men as he looks to add a midfielder to his side this summer.
The Dutchman was born in Nijkerkerveen, the Netherlands on April 18th, 1997 and he’s 22 years old donning the number 6 jersey at Ajax. Both of his parents are Ajax fans and took him to watch Ajax games as a child, his younger brother Rody plays for Veensche Boys. He’s a tall attacking midfielder at 184cm (or exactly 6 foot) and he likes to get forward and either score or create goals.
Donny Van De Beek started his youth career in Veensche Boys before joining Ajax’s academy in 2008 on a free transfer. He stayed in the youth academy for 7 years before being promoted to Ajax Jong in 2015 and then being a more prominent role in Ajax’s first team in the 2017-18 season.
In his first season for Ajax, he made 39 appearances mainly in central midfield as he scored 13 goals and had 6 assists. The next season in the 2018-19 campaign he was moved further forward to play attacking midfield where he had a much better season racking up greater numbers including goals, assists and appearances.
Donny Van De Beek has also had a lot of international experience as he’s represented the Netherlands in all age groups from U17 to the first team where he has made only a handful of appearances. He’s only won a handful of trophies winning the 2018-19 Eredivisie and the 2018–19 KNVB Cup. If he wants to add some silverware to his name then the current UEFA Champions League winners would be the perfect place to go.
Liverpool have many options in midfield, they have big names such as Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain whereas they have solid squad players alongside these in captain Jordan Henderson and James Milner. Although it looks like they have good depth in the midfield department, they lack attacking threat with many of these midfielders playing holding midfielder or are more defensive minded.
Adam Lallana seems to be on his way out as does James Milner once his contract ends, this could be the perfect window for Jurgen Klopp to add the highly rated Dutchman to his midfield. Jurgen Klopp will want to play Fabinho and Naby Keita at his starters as he looks to play two holding midfielders and one attacking midfielder in his side and Donny Van De Beek could be a perfect choice.
The £49m price tag may be too high for Liverpool however, they may look to other options such as Lyon’s Nabil Fekir or Ajax’s Hakim Ziyech as both of these could also occupy the attacking midfield position.
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