Director confirms he’s in talks to sign £35m Manchester United ace in January

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Donny Van de Beek is on the verge of leaving Premier League giants Manchester United but Eintracht Frankfurt’s sporting director insists that there is still a ‘lot’ of work to be done.

It appears to be a case of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ with regards to Donny Van de Beek’s belated Old Trafford departure. But if the summer taught us anything – moves to the likes of Real Sociedad and Genoa falling through – it’s that nothing is done until it’s, well, done.

Van de Beek, according to Fabrizio Romano, is set for a medical at Frankfurt. The Dutch international will join on loan with a £13 million option-to-buy clause in his contract.

But Timmo Hardung, Frankfurt’s sporting director, is keen to play down suggestions that this is a done deal, insisting that there are still a lot of I’s to be dotted and plenty of t’s to be crossed.

Van de Beek in talks over Manchester United exit

“It makes no sense to officially confirm anything that isn’t already finalised,” Hardung tells Hessenschau.

“I understand that things are hot. I also know how the football business works and that information sometimes leaks out. Nevertheless, I would like and must also point out that deals like this always fall through, which then leads to a nice headline.

“The deal with van de Beek and United is not yet finished.”

Hardung adds that Frankfurt have not agreed personal terms with Van de Beek at this stage, with the former Ajax midfielder yet to commit himself to a mid-season switch to the 2022 Europa League winners.

‘He’s an outstanding footballer’

“He’s not our player yet,” Frankfurt coach Dino Toppmoller, who masterminded a 5-1 hammering of Bayern Munich recently, told FAZ on Monday.

“I think everyone who knows a little bit about football knows that he is an outstanding footballer. If he signs, we would be looking forward to it.”

Van de Beek has played only two minutes of Premier League football under Erik ten Hag this season. Casemiro, Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial are among those who could also leave next month.