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Manchester United are planning a summer clearout in order to steer clear of PSR concerns as they prepare for a pivotal summer transfer window.
One player who is expected to be moved on is Donny van de Beek, a player who has endured a nightmare spell at Old Trafford since his move back in 2020.
He started only 19 games in his first two seasons at the club with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and interim manager Ralf Rangnick not deeming him good enough to start games consistently for the club.
His loan spell at Everton also did not go according to plan and it was expected that the arrival of his former coach at Ajax would help change his fortunes.
Donny’s United nightmare
However, the versatile midfielder found it equally difficult under Erik ten Hag who gave him four starts last season and a grand total of 21 minutes this campaign before the club sent him out on loan to Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany.
The Netherlands international has started only four times for the German club with manager Dino Toppmoller even going as far as to exclude him from the UEFA Conference League squad.
And the Bundesliga outfit will not trigger the €10 million buy option with Van de Beek expected to be back in Manchester for pre-season.
The player’s agent talks a good game, as seen from the numerous reports of interested suitors all waiting to sign the playmaker but whether there is any truth behind them remains to be seen.
Teamtalk have added three brand new names into the list – Serie A giants Inter Milan, and Lazio and surprisingly, Girona of Spain.
Agent talk or actual interest?
The Serie A champions are eyeing a loan deal with an obligation to buy in 2025 due to financial concerns at the club. Lazio are prepared to offer a fee for the Dutch midfielder.
As for Girona, the offer of Champions League football could prove to be too lucrative for the former Ajax star to turn down. But the 20-time English league champions are expected to take a major hit on their initial investment.
“Inter does not have enough money to sign Van De Beek outright this summer, but they could land him on an initial loan with an obligation to buy in 2025.
“But Inter will face competition for the player, as Italian rivals Lazio are also in the frame. With Luis Alberto a target for Napoli, Lazio could bring in Van De Beek as his replacement in midfield.
“Lazio are hoping to make at least €17 million (£14.5m) from Alberto’s sale, money which would help them get closer to striking an agreement with Man Utd for Van De Beek.
“Normally, a club like Girona would struggle to convince Van De Beek to join, but playing in the UCL could prove very enticing for the 19-cap Netherlands international.
Three new suitors
“Wherever Van De Beek ends up, it is very likely Man Utd will have to take a significant financial hit when selling him. The Red Devils originally paid Ajax £35m for the playmaker, but he is no longer worth more than £20m.”
It seems unlikely that Inter will go for a player so out of form. Whether a Champions League side actually can afford a passenger in midfield also remains doubtful.
Maybe a return to familiar surroundings could prove to be the best deal or even an exit to an inferior league where the pace of the game is slower than European standards as in the MLS or Saudi.
It is unlikely that too many clubs will be interested in a player who looks like a shadow of the player who was a superstar back during his Ajax days and was even a Ballon d’Or nominee with the Red Devils having to stave off interest from Real Madrid to agree a €39 million move.
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