Newcastle United have reportedly entered the race to sign Manchester United outcast Donny van de Beek and are plotting a €20 million January offer for him.
According to journalist Ekrem Konur, Newcastle United are interested in Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek and are allegedly planning to table a €20 million proposal to Manchester United for their wantaway star.
Speculations surrounding van de Beek’s Manchester United future have been doing the rounds for some time now. The Dutchman has struggled to get consistent playing time ever since he arrived at Old Trafford. Despite the 24-year-old working hard on a physical fitness regimen during the summer, the Dutch international has continued to remain a peripheral figure in the squad.
The 24-year-old’s situation at Old Trafford is quite alarming. He has only had 141 minutes of footballing action across all competitions so far this campaign – he has only played six minutes of Premier League football all season.
Everton were heavily linked with a move for the former Ajax prodigy during the summer, but the Red Devils blocked the sale with United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer promising the player a bigger role at the club. This certainly has not happened, and van de Beek has grown frustrated with his predicament at United
Van de Beek has recently switched agents to push through a January exit from Old Trafford. With Everton, Juventus and Real Madrid all keen on providing the Dutch talent with an escape route, there is obviously no shortage of suitors. And it now appears Newcastle, with their newfound riches, are the latest to join the slew of clubs vying for the 24-year-old’s signature.
Following their Saudi-led takeover, Newcastle’s new owners are identifying key areas of the team that need to be strengthened in the upcoming January window in order to avoid relegation. The central midfield position is one such weak link at St. James’ Park.
Looking at Newcastle United’s most recent games, one can easily analyze that they are struggling to keep hold of possession because they lack a quality midfield operator capable of stitching a few passes and linking the play on turnovers or while in possession.
Sean Longstaff, Jeff Hendrick and Isaac Hayden are all decent midfielders but are more defence-minded, while summer arrival Joe Willock is more of a box-to-box presence than a playmaker. Jonjo Shelvey has all the tools in his locker but is very inconsistent, prompting the need for a central midfielder.
Donny van de Beek ticks a lot of boxes and it would be a bit of a coup if Newcastle get him amidst stiff competition. He is an extremely tidy passer and an attack-minded midfielder with exceptional playmaking and ball-carrying capabilities. A well-rounded player who can fit in a lot of different roles owing to his versatility, the Netherlands would be an upgrade on the Magpies’ current options.
However, any move would only make sense if Newcastle appoint a manager who can get the best out of van de Beek and adapt to his style of play. Only time will tell whether the Tynesiders can acquire the services of the 24-year-old Dutch sensation or move to other targets.
