Barcelona are reportedly keeping tabs on Manchester United star Donny van de Beek who is also on the radars of arch-rivals Real Madrid.
According to a report from Spanish publication Diario Gol, La Liga giants Barcelona are monitoring the situation of struggling Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek, who is also of interest to bitter rivals Real Madrid.
Van de Beek, 23, came through the youth ranks at AFC Ajax and went on to establish himself as one of the finest young midfielders in Europe over the past couple of seasons. This prompted Manchester United to make a move for the Dutchman in the summer transfer window last year.
However, Van de Beek’s time at Old Trafford has been extremely difficult. Despite starting on a positive note by scoring on his debut, the 23-year-old has constantly found himself warming the benches under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The fact that he has started just two Premier League all season long is an indicator of where he stands currently in the squad.
Recent reports have claimed that the Netherlands international isn’t happy with his situation and is seeking showdown talks with Manchester United CEO Ed Woodward. Amidst this, Barcelona have registered an interest in the midfielder.
Van de Beek is a player that Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman knows very well, having worked with him during his time as the manager of the Netherlands national team. And he has made the 23-year-old one of his top transfer targets heading into the summer, alongside soon-to-be free agents Georginio Wijnaldum and Memphis Depay.
While the signing of Van de Beek appeals greatly to Koeman, there is also concern within the Barcelona camp that signing the Dutchman could end up hampering the growth of academy midfielders Pedri and Ilaix Moriba, who are enjoying their breakthrough campaigns, along with Riqui Puig.
Barcelona are not the only club keeping an eye on Van de Beek’s situation, with the midfielder also under consideration at Real Madrid. In fact, prior to his move to Manchester United last year, the 23-year-old had been strongly linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu, only for the Merengues to pull out of a transfer.
Now, it seems like Real Madrid chairman Florentino Perez has brought the Dutchman’s back on the table ahead of the summer transfer window, considering that Luka Modric will need to be replaced eventually.
There has also been speculation that Manchester United could use Van de Beek as part of a player plus cash deal to try and snare away Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund. It now remains to be seen as to what the future holds for the talented Dutchman. Barcelona, given their financial troubles, may not push through with his signing, while Real Madrid have other targets lined up as well.