According to reports, Manchester United have agreed to a fee of around £40m to sign Donny van de Beek from Ajax. It is also said that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s intervention brought a breakthrough in talks with the club and the player.
The Dutchman has been constantly linked with a move to Barcelona or Real Madrid for the past couple of years, but neither clubs followed up their interest with an official bid. It is believed that both the Spanish giants have a high interest in the midfielder, despite not going forward with a bid. Moreover, Manchester United have also been linked with the Ajax player for some time now.
Currently, Barcelona are in complete disarray following Lionel Messi’s decision to leave the club. Earlier, it was believed that Ronald Koeman was keen on bringing Donny van de Beek to Nou Camp, but this announcement has caused utter chaos and confusion at the club and has diminished the club’s involvement in the transfer market, with the priority being finding a resolution to Messi’s situation.
However, reports state that it is now certain that the Ajax midfielder will depart the Johan Cruyff Arena after he was left out of his side’s pre-season friendlies against Eintracht Frankfurt and Union Berlin during the weekend and his destination is most likely to be Old Trafford.
Sky Sports reported that the Red Devils have reached an agreement with Ajax over the transfer fee, with personal terms agreed with the Netherlands player on a five-year-deal until 2025. The report also stated that the player is undergoing a medical in the Netherlands while with his national team before travelling to the UK.
The Daily Mirror states that Solskjaer personally got involved to persuade Donny van de Beek to join United. It is said that the United boss assured the Dutchman of his importance in the rebuild and how Ole wants him to be the cornerstone of his project of bringing glory back to Old Trafford, which seemed to convince the attacking midfielder to join the Red Devils.
Manchester United are expected to wrap this deal up comfortably, with no dispute regarding the fee, as per reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano. There will be add-ons on top of the €40m transfer fee, with only the official announcement remaining.
Van de Beek to Man United, here we go! Man Utd tonight as expected have sent their official bid and Ajax just accepted without any negotiation. Agreement reached for €40m + add ons. Paperworks and medicals on next week. 🔴 #MUFC
📲 More details: https://t.co/NnU6Sy9R76
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 30, 2020
Although the 23-year-old would make a great signing, it is hard to see where he would fit in. Lining up alongside Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes does not make sense from a tactical point-of-view and certainly, United wouldn’t splash out £40m for a squad player.
Accommodating Donny van de Beek alongside the best United midfielders would bring down the defensive stability of the team, with absolutely no anchor in the middle of the park. This could lead to break-ins right through the middle against efficient counterattacking sides.
Moreover, with Fernandes and Pogba fit and firing on all cylinders alongside the fact that both the midfielders cost the English giants a real fortune, they seem to be undroppable figures. Adding Nemanja Matic to that pair means a €40 million signing becomes a bench-warmer.
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It is going to be very interesting to see how the Norwegian boss accommodates his potential new signing. The Dutch international is highly-rated and is considered one of the hottest young talents in Europe but since the departure of Frenkie de Jong, he seemed less and less self-sufficient.
Have the Premier League giants gone and made a panic purchase following outrage from fans and multiple signings by rivals? This is an answer that only time can tell. For now, let’s welcome Donny van de Beek to the Theatre of Dreams.
