Manchester United join Chelsea in race for Marco van Ginkel

Chelsea’s bid to bring Vitesse star Marco van Ginkel to the Premier League this summer is set to be rivalled by Manchester United.

Jose Mourinho was thought to be in pole position to sign the 20-year-old after taking over at Chelsea, despite interest in Holland from Ajax.

However, David Moyes is considering making an offer for van Ginkel after his top midfield target Cesc Fabregas appeared to rule out leaving Barcelona this summer.

Moyes had van Ginkel watched during the Under-21 European Championship by chief scout Jim Lawlor, who also kept an eye on the youngster’s team-mate Kevin Strootman.

Both players had impressive tournaments as Holland bowed out at the semi-final stage, but van Ginkel’s performances in an attacking midfield position – especially during the group stage victories over Germany (3-2) and Russia (5-1) – are thought to have caught Lawlor’s eye.

Chelsea are still the frontrunners to secure the £15million-rated midfielder because their affiliation with Vitesse hands them the first-option to sign players from the Arnhem-based club.

Although Van Ginkel may have a straight choice between Chelsea and United if both clubs agree a fee with Vitesse, and he is keen to play in England having recently said: “I think every young player wants to play in the Premier League.”

The Blues interest in Dutch Football’s Young Talent of the Year – an award previously won by Holland stars Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Robin Van Persie – ended the chances of Ajax signing him.

“We were very interested in Van Ginkel and were willing to go quite far,” revealed Ajax general manager Marc Overmars.

“But if we have to compete with one of the big clubs from England it is always going to be difficult for us. We cannot beat Chelsea’s resources.”

That opinion is confounded by the recent interest of United, who will duke it out with Chelsea to add the playmaker to their squad.

Although a summer move looks close to certain, van Ginkel would not be drawn on his future after Holland U-21’s were knocked out of the Euros in Israel on Saturday night.

“My future? Now I have a vacation and I’ll concentrate on that,” he said after the Dutch were beaten 1-0 by Italy. “After my holiday, we will see. Maybe!”

“Manchester United, I didn’t know…[but] I have two more years at Vitesse. It’s a club who’s growing, so I’m also happy there.”

Van Ginkel made 33 appearances in the Dutch Eredivisie last season, scoring eight goals.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.