Manchester United have rejected Galatasaray’s £1 million loan offer for Donny Van de Beek but the Premier League’s forgotten man is still in talks over a move to Turkey.
Who knows? Perhaps Juan Mata can provide one last assist for the Red Devils.
Mata was part of the Galatasaray side who stormed to the Turkish Super Lig title in 2022/23. And, with Manchester United keen to find a taker for his seldom-seen former team-mate, the veteran Spaniard could be key to convincing Donny van de Beek that a move to Istanbul can be the jump leads to his stalling career.
Van de Beek reportedly had no interest in joining either Genoa or FC Lorient. Galatasaray, however, is an altogether different – and far bigger – challenge. Van de Beek would play Champions League football in Turkey, while fighting for silverware at a club who have quite the reputation for providing accommodation to footballers in need of a loving home.
Alongside Mata, Lucas Torreira, Mauro Icardi and Nicolas Zaniolo were part of the Galatasaray roster last term.
Donny van de Beek could still leave Manchester United
And reports from The Athletic suggesting that Galatasaray ‘remain in talks’ with Van de Beek feel like a good omen. A hint, perhaps, that the £35 million Dutchman is willing to listen to what they have to offer, having turned his nose up at a number of other offers.
Galatasaray will have to do better than their initial offer of a £1 million loan fee, however. Although, with Man United finally agreeing a loan-to-buy deal for Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat on Friday lunchtime, the Red Devils are not quite under so much pressure to raise funds as they were some 24 hours ago.
Amrabat in at last
Amrabat, after all, is likely to spell the end of United’s summer business.
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He will also be the club’s third deadline day arrival alongside goalkeeper Altay Bayindir and emergency left-back Sergio Reguilon.
United, meanwhile, are under no immediate pressure to seal a deal with Galatasaray over Van de Beek tonight. The Turkish window closes in mid-September.