Manchester United transfer news: Virgil van Dijk gives his verdict on Donny van de Beek move

United are close to agreeing terms with both club and player

Virgil van Dijk has wished Donny van de Beek well ahead of his move to Manchester United describing them as a “great club”.

The 23-year-old helped the Amsterdam side reach last year’s Champions League semi-finals and has been linked with a variety of high-profile moves.

But it is United who have run the race with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer set to make him his first signing of the summer.

And Liverpool defender Van Dijk is pleased to see his international teammate moving to the Premier League.

“I wish Donny the best wholeheartedly,” he told De Telegraaf. “It is great for him and for the Dutch national team.

“It’s a great club and step for Donny, and the same goes for Nathan Ake (to Manchester City).”

Ajax manager Erik ten Hag said there had been developments regarding Van de Beek’s future after the player was conspicuous by his absence from the squad for Saturday’s friendly against Eintracht Frankfurt.

It is understood United have since made progress and are close to agreeing terms with both club and player.

The box-to-box midfielder, who was heavily rumoured to be on his way to Real Madrid before the coronavirus outbreak, scored four goals in Ajax’s run to the 2018-19 Champions League semi-finals and 40 in all competitions over the last three seasons.