Ajax chief executive Edwin van der Sar’s good relationship with Manchester United could be important in the Red Devils completing a deal to sign Donny van de Beek, according to De Telegraaf.

The Dutch newspaper claims that Real Madrid are keen on signing the 23-year-old for €50m (£45m) but they have decided to delay finalising the deal due to the financial impact of the global health crisis.

With Ajax keen on completing a quick sale, it has allowed United back into the frame to sign van de Beek. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are hoping to hijack the move before Real can free up the funds to sign the Dutch international.

The La Liga side are said to be waiting for Spanish TV money which will be handed out once the league season resumes later this month.

However, with United also keen to snap up van de Beek, van der Sar may well help his former club to get a deal for the midfielder over the line.