Everton head suitors for Man Utd star ‘planning to leave’

Will Ford
Donny van de Beek and Anthony Martial

Donny van de Beek is “planning to leave Manchester United in January”, with Everton one of the clubs keen on the Dutchman, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Van de Beek is said to be frustrated at his lack of game time under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford, with the midfielder yet to make a Premier League start this season.


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Solskjaer has regularly claimed that Van de Beek remains part of his plans at United and says the 24-year-old knows what he has to do to earn more minutes.

Solskjaer said: “He knows he is not frozen out. It’s Man United, and when a headline player is not playing for Man United, it is always going to make headlines.

“I’ve got plenty of them every week that don’t play, so I don’t have any issues with Donny; he knows what he needs to work on, what we want him to work on.

“He is diligent in his work, and he has never ever let his mood affect his team and teammates negatively. You have to have that fire in your belly if you’re going to make it.”

Van de Beek was noticeably frustrated as he remained on the bench against Villarreal, throwing his chewing gum angrily to the floor as he sat down after his warm-up.

Solskjaer brushed off the incident and joked that Van de Beek was merely taking a page out Sir Alex Ferguson’s book.

“I was taught as a kid to never swallow chewing gum, so he’s probably followed the gaffer’s lead and thrown it out,” Solskjaer added.

“Absolutely no worries about that. What are you supposed to do, hand it to someone else?

“I was a sub more than anyone in this club. I’ve been not very happy a few times but that’s just the decision the manager makes.”

Van de Beek was reportedly close to joining Everton in the summer transfer window and Romano has named the Toffees among the clubs looking to sign him in January, when the journalist claims the former Ajax star will look to force an exit from United.

Speaking about his future on The United Stand, the Romano said: “In the summer, they had a chance to sell him with Everton keen on deadline day. Things can change, but as of now, he is planning to leave Manchester United in January. Van de Beek is a fantastic player and a top professional.”

“It is true that Italian and Spanish clubs are interested and it depends whether Man United can agree on the conditions with them. He could also move to the Premier League, with Everton one of the clubs interested.”

“Donny wants to play so if he is not playing in two-three months, he will leave, I am sure.”