Barcelona are reportedly looking to offer Manchester United misfit Donny Van de Beek an escape route in the January transfer window.
Donny Van de Beek, 24, endured a difficult first season with Manchester United following his move from Ajax in the summer of 2020, managing 19 Premier League appearances, out of which only four were starts. And things haven’t changed a bit this season for the Netherlands international, who continues to remain firmly out of favour under the Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
According to Sport, Barcelona are monitoring the situation of Donny Van de Beek at Old Trafford, plotting a January loan deal with a view to a permanent transfer at the end of the season.
The report adds that the 24-year-old Dutch midfielder has changed agent from Guido Albers to Ali Dursun, who also happens to represent Barcelona star and Netherlands teammate Frenkie De Jong, to boost his chances of engineering a move away from Manchester United.
Van de Beek has managed only fifteen minutes of Premier League football this season, failing to feature in Ole’s plans despite the team struggling big time in recent weeks.
Donny Van de Beek to Barcelona—A smart signing for the Catalan club?
Barcelona recently appointed Xavi as Ronald Koeman’s permanent successor and the club legend has been tasked with reviving his former side’s dwindling fortunes. The Catalan side have suffered a horrendous start to the La Liga season and sit ninth on the table, eleven points below table-toppers Real Sociedad, who have played a game more.
19 goals scored in 12 games isn’t a good reading for a Barcelona side that has some quality players in both midfield and attack. But if they are to climb up the table and aim for at least a top four finish, the new manager has to fish for some bargain deals and depend on some smart scouting with the club cash strapped at the moment.
The Catalan heavyweights are understood to be monitoring Donny Van de Beek’s situation at Man United. Their interest in the Dutchman does make sense considering Sergio Busquets is in the twilight of his glittering career. In addition, Sergi Roberto is out of contract at the end of the season, Philippe Coutinho is yet to get back his mojo after returning from knee surgery last month while it is a tough ask for academy jewels such as Gavi and Nico Gonzalez to perform consistently.
Van de Beek would bring an intriguing mix of passing ability, creativity, vision and an eye for goal to go along with his defensive acumen to Barcelona. The 24-year-old is a technically gifted and tactically versatile player who can operate in a variety of positions across the midfield, adding a touch of class and poise which Barcelona have lacked this season.
The Netherlands international’s ability to find a teammate with both feet is a quality that few midfielders can match, whilst his accuracy, vision and incisiveness are some reasons why he is such a top passer of the ball.
The ex-Ajax star likes to keep things simple in the middle of the park but can fashion defence-splitting passes on the ground and is more than capable of the spectacular, making him a genuine match-winner on his day. Van de Beek works hard off the ball and possesses the engine to press the opposition consistently in a game.
Moreover, at just 24, the Dutchman’s peak years are still ahead of him. All in all, Van de Beek’s qualities and style of play are a perfect fit for Barcelona, and his arrival in January could certainly breathe new life into a midfield that has often looked devoid of energy and invention so far this season.
