Bayern Strikes
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If Bayern Munich are to raid Ajax, who should they target?

By Benjamin Scott

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - FEBRUARY 4: David Neres of Ajax celebrates 2-1 with Hakim Ziyech of Ajax, Lasse Schone of Ajax, Matthijs de Ligt of Ajax, Donny van de Beek of Ajax during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax v NAC Breda at the Johan Cruijff Arena on February 4, 2018 in Amsterdam Netherlands (Photo by Erwin Spek/Soccrates/Getty Images)
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - FEBRUARY 4: David Neres of Ajax celebrates 2-1 with Hakim Ziyech of Ajax, Lasse Schone of Ajax, Matthijs de Ligt of Ajax, Donny van de Beek of Ajax during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax v NAC Breda at the Johan Cruijff Arena on February 4, 2018 in Amsterdam Netherlands (Photo by Erwin Spek/Soccrates/Getty Images) /
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Ajax’s Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Ajax at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London, on April 30, 2019. (Photo by EMMANUEL DUNAND / IKIMAGES / AFP) (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
Ajax’s Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Ajax at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London, on April 30, 2019. (Photo by EMMANUEL DUNAND / IKIMAGES / AFP) (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) /

Donny van de Beek

Donny van de Beek wouldn’t have found his name on this list a few months ago. However, the Dutch midfielder has scored a few clutch goals during that time to show he deserves the plaudits just as much as his more easily recognized teammates.

He’s also found himself linked with a move to the Bavarian capital in the past few weeks. For what it’s worth, Dietmar Hamann thinks the 22-year-old would be a great fit in Munich.

And the former Germany international is probably right. Van de Beek could go on to have a great career in the Bavarian capital should he make the move. He’s a great playmaker and most often plays in an advanced role at Ajax, but he is much more well-rounded than many modern attacking midfielders.

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The only problem is Bayern don’t really need a player like him. They just signed Leon Goretzka last summer, after buying Corentin Tolisso the summer before that. Neither of those players are all that different from Donny van de Beek. They’re essentially more versatile and more experienced versions of the young Dutchman.

That’s not to argue that the trio of players are exactly the same, of course. They all have different playing styles that contribute in various ways to their team. And van de Beek could certainly bring something to the table that neither Goretzka nor Tolisso currently offer. But it honestly wouldn’t be much.

Don’t get me wrong, I by no means doubt Donny van de Beek‘s talent. But I do think the Bavarians would be better off focusing on developing the young midfielders already at their disposal (i.e., Renato Sanches) and spending their money on positions more desperate for improvement.