If things had carried on as planned, Van de Beek was only inches close from joining Real Madrid this summer, says his agent, Guido Albers.
Now starring for Manchester United, Van de Beek could have gone to Real Madrid instead but for the ‘coronavirus pandemic.’
The Dutchman joined the Red Devils in a €40m move this summer and remains their only signing of the summer so far.
Prior to his move from Ajax, Real Madrid were hot on the tails of Van de Beek.
In fact, rumors even emerged an agreement was in place for the midfielder to move to Spain.
Van de Beek himself had to downplay those rumors publicly on many occasions.
But going by the comments of his agent, Guido Albers, it appears those rumors had some truth to them.
All was set for Van de Beek to join Real Madrid this summer. However, the financial effects of the coronavirus crisis saw Los Blancos back out on splashing the cash.
“Last year, we had already worked towards a move to Real Madrid, but Ajax were against it after the departures of Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt,” Albers told a Dutch podcast as quoted by Marca.
“He ultimately stayed, but everything was arranged and in place last year.”
“At this meeting we shook hands and we agreed to keep it quiet for a while until he passed his medical,” the agent revealed.
“This summer he would have arrived at Real Madrid.”
Van de Beek is yet to hit full gear at United and could find game-time difficult with the presence of Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes.
However, the Dutchman is in line to start when United lock horns with Brighton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
Be sure not to miss out on the latest news about Donny van de Beek
Download our brand new App and follow your favorite players, clubs, and much more
