Coach says Newcastle-linked £47m man is ‘devastating’, Pochettino and Benitez reportedly both keen

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Reported Newcastle United target Donny Van de Beek has been highly praised by Bryan Roy, who coached him as a youngster at Ajax.

According to Le10 Sport, the Magpies are looking at the 23-year-old as part of a “crazy workforce” hoping to be put together at St James’ Park by the prospective new owners.

The report claims that Van de Beek is being lined up as an “attractive option” for both Mauricio Pochettino and Rafael Benitez, the managers said to be in pole position for the Newcastle job.

However, the player’s exploits haven’t gone unnoticed by other clubs, with Mundo Deportivo reporting that Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus are after him too, while Le10 Sport has also named Everton in the mix.

“Donny would be perfect for Juve’s midfield, as well as for Italian football,” former Netherlands international Roy told Tuttojuve .

“Physically he has always been devastating, since he knows how to attack and defend with the same skill. He was very shy but already smart on the playing field. He is a total footballer, offensive runs are one of his great specialties.”

Van de Beek, who the Daily Mail claims has a £47million price tag, has 10 goals and 11 assists for Ajax this season, and 41 goals and 34 assists overall, from 175 first-team appearances for the club.

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A box-to-box central midfielder who can score goals and provide assists but also be the water carrier, Van de Beek’s stock has risen massively since coming through the Ajax ranks.

He was a standout performer alongside the likes of Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt and Hakim Ziyech – who have left or are about to leave – as Ajax reached the Champions League semi-finals last season.

It won’t be easy for Newcastle to get their hands on Van de Beek, given some other teams linked with him can provide title runs and Champions League football once normality resumes.

That said, a charm offensive from Newcastle’s prospective new owners pertaining to the St James’ Park project, plus some strong financial muscle, could always play their part.