Galatasaray will reportedly use next week’s Champions League clash with Manchester United to open negotiations over a potential January deal for Donny van de Beek.
This week heralds the two-year anniversary of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tear-stained sacking at Old Trafford.
But if the Norwegian’s departure was supposed to represent an obstacle removed from Donny van de Beek’s path, then we did not factor in the prospect that Erik ten Hag – the man who worked alongside the Dutchman to such success at Ajax – would take a leaf out of Solskjaer’s book and keep a first-team spot at arms’ length.
Van de Beek is as much a persona non grata under Ten Hag as he was under Solskjaer. Despite some impressive performances in pre-season, and the injuries to Manchester United trio Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Casemiro and more, Van de Beek has played only 21 minutes of football in all competitions during 2023/24.
And, with their Financial Fair Play issues still very much present, Manchester United would likely jump at the opportunity to cash in on the seldom-seen £35 million midfielder.
Manchester United must move Donny van de Beek on
According to Turkish publication Sporx, Galatasaray are renewing their pursuit of Van de Beek. They showed an interest over the summer too, and will return to the table after growing increasingly underwhelmed with Tanguy Ndombele’s performances on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.
United will travel to Istanbul for next Wednesday’s make-or-break Champions League clash. And Galatasaray, Sporx add, will use this as an opportunity to establish dialogue with the Red Devils ahead of a potential January swoop.
Man United would ideally prefer to recoup around £13 million for Van de Beek. It cannot be discounted, however, that he leaves Old Trafford for a ‘much lower’ figure, the midfield misfit little more than a substantial drain on Ten Hag’s already limited resources these days.
Van de Beek won’t be present in Turkey, however. He is not registered in the Champions League squad.
‘Will leave in January
“Donny will leave in January for sure,” Fabrizio Romano tells The United Stand, moves to Real Sociedad, Genoa and Lorient failing to come to fruition before September’s transfer deadline.
“He has to (leave). And he wants to because he wants to play. It’s a shame because Donny wanted to play for Man United. He loved this opportunity. But, at the same time, he is never playing.
“He also knows he needs regular football. He can’t stay on the bench.”
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