Real Sociedad are reportedly in talks with Manchester United to land outcast Donny van de Beek on a permanent deal in the ongoing summer transfer window.
According to a report from the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United are in talks with La Liga giants Real Sociedad over the permanent sale of outcast Donny van de Beek. The former Ajax man is one of a number of fringe players United are keen to move on, to generate more funds for Ten Hag to add to his squad this summer.
The Netherlands international has been with the Red Devils for the past three seasons. But he has yet to establish himself as a regular starter since completing his £40 million move. Many thought the Dutchman’s Manchester United career could turn around for good when his former boss Erik ten Hag walked through the door last summer.
But his poor season – curtailed by injury – has only reinforced the feeling that he must leave Old Trafford to revitalise his flailing career. Mason Mount’s arrival has brought even more competition for places in midfield. The England international is expected to start in the number eight role next term, with Christian Eriksen likely to provide cover.
Meanwhile, new captain Bruno Fernandes has made the number 10 position his own and is widely expected to start in almost every game when fit. With this in mind, Manchester United have opened the door for Van de Beek’s exit. Now, it seems, he has an escape route, with La Liga outfit Real Sociedad keen to sign him during the current transfer window.
Fabrizio Romano recently reported that Real Sociedad were locked in talks with Manchester United over a loan deal with an option to buy clause. However, as per MEN, it seems United are trying to negotiate a permanent deal to cut ties with the player.
Once rated among the best young goalscoring midfielders in Europe, van de Beek missed the Qatar World Cup due to a lack of playing time and will be looking to earn his place back in the Dutch national team setup sooner rather than later, with the 2024 European Championships on the horizon.
At 26 years of age, there is plenty of time for Donny van de Beek to recapture his peak form, and Real Sociedad could very well be the place to start afresh. The Basque outfit are also pretty much on the rise, having qualified for the Champions League with a fourth-place finish in La Liga last season.
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The Dutchman was purchased from Ajax for £35 million rising to £40 million in 2020. So it will be interesting to see how much of that Manchester United would want to recoup to part ways with his services, and whether it would be a feasible enough deal for La Liga club given the player’s hefty Premier League-standard annual salary currently.
