Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk believes Donny van de Beek is taking a ‘great step’ by joining Manchester United.
United have agreed a £40.3 million deal with Ajax to sign the midfielder, and the two clubs are aiming to complete the move this week.
Van de Beek has been one of Ajax’s standout players and had attracted interest from several clubs including Tottenham, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
But United are now poised to win the race for the 23-year-old, who will become Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first signing this summer.
Asked if he is trying to change Van de Beek’s mind about joining United, Van Dijk replied: ‘No.
‘I wish Donny all the best.
‘It’s fantastic for him and great for Dutch football.
‘It’s another great step to another beautiful club for a Dutch player.
‘The same goes for Nathan Ake.’
Netherlands’ interim head coach Dwight Lodeweges also claimed that Van de Beek would not be leaving the Dutch squad early in order to finalise his move to Old Trafford.
‘No, I think it is almost ready,’ Lodeweges said on Monday.
‘I think there is still a [medical] inspection to go. It will take place.
‘I am certainly not going to send Donny home, because he wanted to be here himself. That is also important.’
