Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek has emerged as a real alternative to Manchester United's Paul Pogba as Real Madrid look to strengthen with one more big signing before the new season.
Coach Zinedine Zidane has recognised the need to bring in a more mobile midfielder after Madrid's struggles in pre-season, in which Los Blancos have won one just one of their five fixtures and conceded 16 goals in the process.
Pogba remains Real's top target, but Manchester United have no intention of selling the World Cup winner and Standard Sport understands Los Blancos have now turned their attentions to Van de Beek, with Christian Eriksen ruled out.
"There is interest from Real Madrid, but people are getting ahead of themselves," Van de Beek told Fox Sports when asked about rumours he is about to sign for the Spanish side.
"You don't have to believe everything that is written. People talk a lot. I don't have to say what is true and what is not. I'm focused on the game [against Vitesse] on Saturday."
Van de Beek was part of the Ajax side that knocked Real Madrid out of the Champions League last season with a stunning 4-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu and the midfielder went on to score in the semi-final first leg against Tottenham in London.
The 22-year-old is likely to be available for around €60million, with Pogba expected to cost up to three times that amount.
