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Man Utd transfer blow as club officially announce deal for 'new Paul Pogba'
Ryan Gravenberch has signed a new contract with Ajax.
Man Utd could lose £17m from behind closed doors games
Manchester United target Ryan Gravenberch has signed a new contract with Ajax. United had been tipped to challenge for the teenager, whose contract was set to expire in June 2021.
Gravenberch's Eredivisie displays captured the attention of several clubs throughout Europe including United, Roma and AC Milan.
Gravenberch is considered one of the brightest prospects in Dutch football and has been likened to Paul Pogba by former Ajax colleague Justin Kluivert.
"He is the new Paul Pogba," Kluivert told DAZN. "He is very good and very young. He is truly a top player."
But any prospect of a summer arrival has now been dashed after Ajax officially announced that Gravenberch has signed a two-year extension - running until 2023.
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“I have often been asked about it in recent months, but I have always told the people around me that I wanted to stay here," Gravenberch told Ajax's official website.
"I have been with Ajax since 2010. They picked me up as a little boy and I have been here for 10 seasons now. Then you don't want to just leave."
Meanwhile, another Ajax gem remains on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's transfer shortlist.
Ajax managing director Edwin van der Sar this week confirmed United's interest in midfielder Donny van de Beek.
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?????? Incoming call... #Gravenberch2023 pic.twitter.com/iFOsGCsrbV
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) June 11, 2020
Dutch publication Voetbal International claim the Red Devils are busy 'preparing an offer' thought to be worth £35million and will enter negotiations with both Ajax and the player's representatives soon.
However, the Old Trafford club will need to act quickly because Real Madrid are already in the advanced stages of their proposal.
Zinedine Zidane's side are reported to have already agreed all the financial elements of the deal with Ajax and are prepared to pay an initial £44.5million with a further £4.5m in bonuses.
Voetbal Internationa say Real Madrid are two steps away from completing his arrival. First the money will need to be transferred and then a medical examination.