Ajax star Donny van de Beek 'not taking Spanish classes' amid talk of Real Madrid move

Dutch midfielder insists 'nothing is official' with the Spanish giants

Donny van de Beek is a star player for Ajax and has been attracting interest from Europe's biggest cluvs, including Real Madrid. AFP

Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek appeared to admit there is interest in him from Real Madrid but insisted that "nothing is official".

Van de Beek, 22, has established himself as one of the brightest prospects in European football, helping the club last season to the domestic double of Eredivisie and Dutch Cup, with nine goals and 10 assists in 34 league games and four goals and one assist in five cup games.

He was also central to Ajax's run to the Champions League semi-finals last season, a run that included superb wins over Real Madrid and Juventus, during which Van de Beek scored three goals and created two assists in 12 games.

Like other star members of last season's Ajax team, Van de Beek has been attracting interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs, with reports claiming Real Madrid are prepared to take him to the Bernabeu for €55 million (Dh218m).

However, the Dutch international midfielder has insisted that no decision has been made about his future.

"Playing in the sun is always nice, but no, I haven't started taking Spanish classes,' Van de Beek said in an interview with magazine Helden. "I still haven't said yes to anyone, it's all open. I know what I have here, I'm loved by Ajax and I love Ajax.

"My feeling should be positive at a club, not only that they want me but also that I fit in their system of play. Of course, I also want to know the game time they will give me."

Van de Beek has continued his fine form this season with eight goals and six assists in 23 league games to help Ajax lead the league table, level on points with second-placed AZ Alkmaar. Both clubs are six points clear of Feyenoord in third.

Should Van de Beek leave, he will be following Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie De Jong as young Dutch stars to depart Ajax since last season's success. Defender and captain De Lijt joined Italian champions Juventus last summer, while De Jong moved to La Liga holders Barcelona, both for approximately for €75m, not including add-ons and bonuses.

Meanwhile, Hakim Ziyech - another Ajax star - will join Premier League side Chelsea for €45m at the end of the season.

While an exit seems inevitable at some point in Van de Beek's career, he said he could still remain at Ajax for the foreseeable future.

"Nothing is official [with Real Madrid]," he said. "There is no contract. That is the situation. That has not changed throughout the season."

"I don't want to choose. Both are great clubs, but as I said before, Ajax is also a great club. Therefore, there is nothing to choose from. Everything would be very good."