Everton enter negotiations to make Man Utd misfit first Lampard signing

Frank Lampard could make Donny van de Beek his first signing if he takes over at Everton, who have reportedly already opened talks with Manchester United.

After the dismissal of Rafael Benitez following a 200-day reign, Everton have been looking for a new manager. They have now made an offer to former Chelsea boss Lampard, who has been out of work for a year.

It is a step forward for their planning, with time ticking in the transfer window. Although they had a busy start to the month, their efforts were halted while there was no manager in place.

If Lampard does take the job, then they could make one late splash in the market. Any new arrival would follow Vitaliy Mykolenko, Nathan Patterson and Anwar El Ghazi to the club.

And the man to do so may be El Ghazi’s former Ajax teammate van de Beek.

According to Fabrizio Romano – and as confirmed by the likes of Sky Sports – Everton have joined the race for the Dutchman and are in talks over a loan deal.

Man Utd are willing to grant van de Beek his wish to leave after just four Premier League starts in 18 months. But they could yet decide against a sale in favour of a loan, while they wait to see what happens with Paul Pogba.

Van de Beek's best rumoured options

Everton, Crystal Palace, Newcastle and Dortmund are all rumoured to be interested and are all good options for Donny.

Still, van de Beek should finally get his opportunity to play elsewhere. To that end, Crystal Palace have been in discussions over a move.

But at the time, it was stated that another Premier League club were looking into a deal. Thought then to be Newcastle, it may actually have been Everton.

Everton in three-way battle for van de Beek

Now, the Toffees are trying to beat Palace – as well as La Liga outfit Valencia – in the race for the 24-year-old.

To take him from United, they will need to pay a loan fee and cover his whole salary. That may rule Valencia out, but either English side could try to strike a deal.

Key to Palace’s pursuit has been Dennis Bergkamp, the father of van de Beek’s partner and a former teammate of Eagles boss Patrick Vieira at Arsenal.

But now Everton – who have tried to sign van de Beek in the past – could give all parties something to think about.

Everton are five points behind Palace in the Premier League table, but have two games in hand.

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