Man Utd receive transfer hope as ‘approach’ for £40m flop can help Ten Hag ‘attack’ top target
La Liga side Real Sociedad have made an ‘approach’ to sign Man Utd midfielder Donny van de Beek, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Red Devils paid £35million plus £5m in add-ons to sign Van de Beek from Ajax in September 2020.
The Dutch international has been a huge disappointment at Old Trafford, however. He struggled for game time under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and was sent on loan by Ralf Rangnick before being reunited with his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag.
Many thought this would help the player get his Man Utd career up and running but he once again struggled for game time before suffering a season-ending knee injury in January 2023.
And having only played 60 times across all competitions for the Premier League club, scoring twice, Van de Beek is one player likely to be sold this summer.
Transfer expert Romano recently revealed that Real Sociedad are keen with Brazilian midfielder Fred another player surplus to requirements.
“For Man United, it’s crucial to find a solution for Donny van de Beek,” he said on his YouTube channel. “Real Sociedad are interested, but also, for Fred, we know the interest of Galatasaray, but I’m told that there is still no agreement with Galatasaray at the moment.
“They tried a few days ago to attack the situation, but some other club could enter the race, so it’s not guaranteed yet [for] Galatasaray. There are also other clubs in the race. Let’s see what happens with Fred.
“For Man United, it is crucial to sell him to make room for Sofyan Amrabat, [who is] waiting for an official bid, not arrived yet.”
And on Tuesday evening, Romano revealed Man Utd have been “approached” by Sociedad.
The Italian journalist says this is the “first formal contact between the clubs” after talks between the 26-year-old’s representatives and Sociedad.
It is added that the deal depends on the “conditions decided” by Man Utd with both clubs “now discussing formula and terms of the deal”.
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Ten Hag has already spent around £100m on Mason Mount and Andre Onana with a further £60m – before add-ons – going to Atalanta for Rasmus Hojlund.
Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat is believed to be the next target for the Dutch manager but it is clear he will need to raise some funds through player sales in order to get the Moroccan through the door.
Speaking to the United Stand on YouTube, Romano revealed Amrabat’s absence from his side’s recent squad is not significant.
“He was not going on tour with Fiorentina as it was already planned with the player,” he said. “They decided it with Amrabat and some other players. He is part of Fiorentina’s squad. He is not out of the squad because of transfer risks.
“This is showing that the deal is still not in the final stages. For Man United it was always been clear, the negotiations to close was Rasmus Hojlund and now they have nearly completed everything, then focus on Sofyan Amrabat.
“But to make the Sofyan Amrabat deal happen, they want to sell Fred as he will 100 percent leave Manchester United this summer, it’s just about deciding what is the best option for the player.
“Galatasaray have pushed, but I am told in the last few hours that this deal is becoming complicated, so other clubs are entering the race.
“Keep an eye on Saudi clubs – this could be a possibility. But in any case, Fred will leave.
“Donny van de Beek has this possibility with Real Sociedad to be discussed, it’s not advanced yet but there are discussions ongoing. But then Manchester United will be ready to attack the Sofyan Amrabat deal.”
Romano also revealed that Man Utd tried to sign Amrabat in January.
“I can guarantee Man United have not signed any proposal,” the transfer expert added. “They will do that when they know this is the moment and they can enter into concrete negotiations. Keep calm, it will take some days, maybe weeks, it’s not something happening today or tomorrow.
“It will take some time but Sofyan Amrabat’s priority is Man United.
“He would love to join Manchester United and Erik ten Hag already had a conversation with the player at the end of January after the injury of Christian Eriksen in the final hours of the transfer window. They tried to call the agents of Amrabat, they have a very good relationship.
“It was a possibility but with Fiorentina it was impossible to do a loan deal as they did with Marcel Sabitzer at Bayern, so the deal collapsed.
“He is a player appreciated by United – let’s see how the conversation goes but we wait for an official bid to come soon.”
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