Arsenal and Manchester United have moved ahead in the battle for Ajax’s young star David Neres.
The 22-year-old has taken the Champions League by storm this season and is rated at around £45million.
Last week both Everton and Liverpool were linked with a move for the Brazilian.
That was before his wonder-goal against Juventus in the Champions League quarter-final in Amsterdam.
His magic moment grabbed the attention of both United and Arsenal – who are both leading the chase, report The Sun .
Neres has eight goals and 11 assists in the Eredivisie this season and could leave this summer if the price is right.
(Image: Michael Steele)
Borussia Dortmund had a bid for Neres rejected in January and will try again to take him to Germany if they lose Jadon Sancho at the end of the season.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is keen to add more to his attack this summer with fans concerned about the lack of depth in attack.
Everton boss Marco Silva, though, is determined to steal a march and thinks the lure of first-team football from the off could swing things in the Toffees’ favour over their Premier League rivals.
But now United and Arsenal want in.
Juventus are favourites to progress on Tuesday night despite not taking a lead back to Turin.
But coach Massimiliano Allegri wants his team to show the same intensity they displayed in beating Atlético Madrid in the last 16.
(Image: David Price)
(Image: Michael Steele)
“The first leg result counts for nothing,” Allegri said ahead of the crucial match.
“We need to be more lucid with our passing and we need to be more accurate in building attacks which we did less well in Amsterdam, and we must show great respect for Ajax.
“We must also show the same intensity we showed against Atlético.
“Ajax have never lost away from home after the preliminary round, let’s hope it will go differently this time.”
The Dutch side, meanwhile, say they have no plans to man-mark Cristiano Ronaldo .
