Real Madrid boss Zidane ‘calls Man Utd transfer target Donny van de Beek’ in bid to steal march on rivals

REAL MADRID boss Zinedine Zidane has "called up" Manchester United target Donny van de Beek as the chase or the Ajax midfielder hots up.

Everton and Newcastle have also been linked with the £44million-rated Holland star, 23.

2

2

But ZZ's reported call to the 23-year-old cements Real's position as favourites to sign him

claim Old Trafford ace Paul Pogba, 27, remains Zidane's midfield priority in the summer.

BRUNO NEEDS PARTNER

United rate Van de Beek as a potential bargain, given that Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish could cost around £80m.

Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to find the right balance in mid-pitch alongside instant hit Bruno Fernandes.

And Van de Beek has more top-level European experience than current Premier League options like Grealish and Leicester's James Maddison.

most read in football

ALL MOVES

Haaland signs £260m deal, Real Madrid 'eye Saliba', Chelsea 'want Garnacho'

OL BE BACK

Solskjaer lands first job in management with Euro giants 4 years after Utd axe

'BIG EGOS'

Neymar lifts lid on PSG 'fights' with Kylian Mbappe 'jealous' of Lionel Messi

FOR THE LONG HAAL

Haaland signs TEN-YEAR Man City contract worth £260million

But apart from Real, Newcastle plan to spend big if their £300m, Saudi-backed takeover goes ahead.

Van de Beek and even fellow United target Kalidou Koulibaly are already thought to be on their radar.

And Everton are also likely to be one of the few Prem clubs willing to splash out this summer, with ex-Real chief Carlo Ancelotti keen to show he can still rival the elite in the transfer market.