Manchester United consider swapping Donny van de Beek for Ismael Bennacer

Manchester United are considering a player plus cash deal to sign Ismael Bennacer this summer.

The appointment of Erik ten Hag might not have much impact on the future of Donny van de Beek it seems, as Manchester United are open to sacrificing him in an attempt to sign Ismael Bennacer, reports Calciomercatoweb. The AC Milan midfielder has emerged as a transfer target for ten Hag, who is keen on securing a technically astute central midfielder this summer.

The Red Devils have been heavily linked with a move for Barcelona ace Frenkie de Jong. However, despite Barca’s desire to cash in on the Dutchman, the player has appeared keen on prolonging his stay at Camp Nou, as he is currently sitting on a lucrative contract.

It has forced Manchester United to consider other alternatives in the market, with Bennacer emerging as one of the options. The AC Milan star is highly regarded as one of the most talented midfielders in Serie A, having enjoyed a rapid rise to prominence since his move to Milan in 2019.

Formerly of the Arsenal youth academy, Bennacer has emerged as a midfield lynchpin for the Rossoneri. His consistent performances in the middle of the park have played a critical role in helping the club secure the Serie A title last season, with the player notably appearing in 31 league matches.

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However, Bennacer could cost a fortune as Milan rate the 24-year-old at around €40 million. Determined to sign the player, Manchester United are considering proposing a player plus cash deal involving Donny van de Beek.

The Dutchman was one of ten Hag’s midfield generals during their time together at Ajax. But he has never made an impact at Old Trafford and is coming on the back of a loan spell at Everton. Many expected van de Beek to make an impact under his former manager. And ten Hag has indicated that he might have a place in his plans.

However, with Bruno Fernandes and new signing Christian Eriksen occupying the No. 10 role, question marks remain over how much van de Beek could feature in the upcoming campaign.

Including van de Beek in the operation to sign Bennacer could help Manchester United generate a massive discount on the final price tag for the Algerian international. However, the entire operation could hinge on the Premier League giants’ pursuit of de Jong, who remains the top target for ten Hag despite a slew of other alternatives.