Real Madrid are willing to pay €80m to beat Barcelona to the signing of Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong, according to reports.
The Catalan giants have been heavily linked to the midfielder while previous reports from OK Diario say Madrid see him as an upgrade to Mateo Kovacic, currently on loan at Chelsea.
Fresh reports in Dutch outlet De Telegraaf, as cited by Diario AS, say Madrid’s long-term interest in the Dutchman has intensified.
Earlier this month, El Mundo Deportivo cited English club Tottenham’s interest in the midfielder, wh would be prepared to pay €50m.
The 21-year-old made his Netherlands debut earlier this month and has already played 15 times for the Amsterdam club this season.
Last season, De Jong registered seven assists from 22 Eredivisie appearances while Ajax sporting director Marc Overmars ruled out a sale for the midfielder.
