Edwin van der Sar expecting Man United to join European giants in race for teenage sensation

Liverpool's Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah (R) vies for the ball with Ajax's Dutch midfielder Ryan Gravenberch during the UEFA Champions League Group D first-leg football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Liverpool FC at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam on October 21, 2020. (Photo by Kenzo Tribouillard / AFP) (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)

Ajax are reportedly expecting Manchester United to join European footballing giants Barcelona and Juventus in the race to land teenage sensation Ryan Gravenberch.

Gravenberch, 18, joined Ajax’s world-famous youth academy all the way back in 2010 and under the guidance of the Dutch giants has gone on to emerge as one of Europe’s brightest talents.

After a hugely impressive youth career saw the teenage midfielder be directly involved in 42 goals in 85 matches in all competitions for Ajax’s under 17s, 19s and 21s, the starlet made the senior move up in September 2018.

Now currently featuring as an Ajax first-team regular, Gravenberch has made 20 senior appearances and has been directly involved in seven goals.

The youngster’s latest impressive performance came against Premier League champions Liverpool last week and according to a recent report from The Mirror the teenager’s decent displays are catching the eye of some of Europe’s footballing heavyweights.

The Mirror claim that Serie A and La Liga giants Juventus and Barcelona are both monitoring Gravenberch after already sending scouts to cast an eye over the talented midfielder.

However, it is also understood that Ajax are expecting Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United to join the race to land the 18-year-old Dutchman.

United and Ajax are well documented to have a strong working relationship after former United legend van der Sar who now works as the Eredivisie side’s CEO helped facilitate the recent £39m transfer of midfielder Donny van de Beek, as per Sky Sports.

Ajax and United’s previous dealings could see the Reds emerge as strong favourites to land Gravenberch should they opt to make a move either in January or next summer.

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