€39m Man Utd star desperate for January exit, Barcelona interested in him - report
Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek is attracting interest from Barcelona ahead of the winter transfer window, Spanish publication Sport claims.
The Dutchman joined the Red Devils from Ajax for €39 million last summer, but he has since struggled to establish himself under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
He was limited to just over 500 minutes of playing time in the league last term. His situation has not improved this season. The 24-year-old has managed just six league minutes thus far.
It is now reported that he is desperate to leave the Red Devils in January, and has recently changed his representative. He now shares the same agent as Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong in Ali Dursun.
The Blaugrana are looking to add more quality in midfield, but they can’t afford a permanent deal for Van de Beek. It is claimed that they could propose a loan deal with a future option to buy.
Our view:
Van de Beek joined the club under much fanfare last year, but he has barely played in the Premier League. Solskjaer has fancied Scott McTominay, Fred, Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic ahead of him in midfield.
The Netherlands international can also play in an advanced number 10 position, but his playing prospects are likewise bleak with Bruno Fernandes being an undisputed starter due to his consistent high-level displays.
Van de Beek was linked with a potential loan move to Everton towards the end of the summer transfer window, but Solskjaer personally intervened to block his departure before the deadline.
The midfielder later highlighted that he was content to stay after receiving assurances of game time, but that has hardly been the case with just one substitute appearance in the league.
He has recently been axed from the Netherlands setup by Louis van Gaal citing the lack of league minutes. With the World Cup next winter, Van de Beek will be desperate for regular game time to earn a recall.
Van de Beek had an excellent midfield partnership with De Jong at Ajax, and there could be a reunion on the cards at Camp Nou. It remains to be seen whether United will consider a loan-to-buy proposal.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
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