Ajax head coach Erik ten Hag is confident Real Madrid target Donny van de Beek will remain with them.

Van de Beek, 22, has been linked with the Santiago Bernabeu giants throughout the summer and talk has strengthened since a protracted pursuit of Manchester United’s Paul Pogba met a likely end with last week’s closure of the Premier League’s transfer window. The Netherlands international himself confirmed discussions were under way earlier this month.

“[Van de Beek] only dedicates himself to playing,” said Ten Hag to reporters prior to Tuesday’s second leg against PAOK, with the third-round Champions League qualifier all square at 2-2. “I guess and I hope that he stays with us this season.

“Otherwise, I will hear from [Ajax’s director of football,] Marc Overmars.”

Van de Beek has notched two goals and two assists from both 2019/20 Eredivisie games for the defending champions. They have already banked more than €150 million this summer from sales of centre-back Matthijs de Ligt to Juventus and midfielder Frenkie de Jong to Barcelona.