Ajax are bracing themselves for another Premier League auction for teenage midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.
The 18-year-old has already emerged as a target for Barcelona and Juventus who have registered their interest and been watching him.
But now English top flight clubs are taking interest as Dutch youth international Gravenberch played against Liverpool in the Champions League last week while Manchester United are keeping tabs.
Gravenberch has already played 19 times for Ajax and scored four goals and made three assists and is being compared in style to United’s France superstar Paul Pogba.
Gravenberch, who came through the famous youth academy system at Ajax, signed a new three-year contract with the Dutch giants in June and they will be reluctant to cash in just yet.
But Ajax have sold some of their gems in the past 18 months with Donny van de Beek going to Manchester United in the summer.
Frenkie de Jong departed Ajax for Barcelona in 2019 and Holland centre back Matthijs de Ligt also went from Ajax to Juventus last year.
Ajax have made no secret that finances brought on by the coronavirus pandemic has made it difficult to keep their best talents and another is now attracting interest from across Europe.
Gravenberch is reported to have signed to super agent Mino Raiola who has Pogba on his books.
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Meanwhile, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been forced to defend the acquisition of the aforementioned van de Beek, following criticism from TV pundits.
The £40m summer signing has so far played just a bit-part role at Old Trafford and is yet to start a Premier League game, but Solskjaer insists he will be more involved going forward.
"It's nice for some players and commentators to have a little go," Solskjaer said. "I know you're short on time on television and have to put your point across quickly, but you have to know you don't have to start the first three games to know you're an important part of the squad.
"I'd be disappointed if some of my team-mates said I wasn't important at Manchester United but I didn't start many games. Donny will be very, very important for us. Don't worry about that."
