Agents of unhappy Manchester United man to ‘study exit plan’ for January

Donny van de Beek’s agents are said to be “working hard” to “study an exit plan” at Manchester United for January.

After a first season of struggle at Old Trafford, things have not got any easier this time around.

The 24-year-old managed just four starts in the Premier League in 2020/21, and this term his game time has been just as limited. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has summoned Van de Beek from the bench for just four minutes in seven games in the league.

Van de Beek was hooked at half-time in the Champions League defeat at Young Boys. He did get a 90-minute runout in the EFL Cup defeat to West Ham, but has not been seen since.

The midfielder has shown visible signs of frustration and was seen throwing his chewing gum from the bench after Fred came on ahead of him in the 2-1 defeat to Villarreal.

It appears that things are coming to a head and Italian outlet Calciomercato say Van de Beek is on the lookout for a new club in January.

The report claims “the agents of the former Ajax (sic) have been working hard for weeks to study an exit plan already in the January market”. 

Calciomercato.it suggest Serie A pair Juventus and Inter Milan are keen on Van de Beek, who was a £36m signing in the summer of 2020.

Calciomercato suggest that his former Ajax team-mate Matthijs de Ligt could play a part in helping Juventus to a deal.

Arsenal and Man Utd target to command enormous transfer fee

Bayer Leverkusen will command upwards of £80 million for Arsenal and Manchester United target Florian Wirtz, as Anthony Martial is reportedly open to joining Spurs, while Mikel Arteta looks set to be backed in the transfer window again.

The sticking point will be the fee though. United are said to be keen to recoup the money they paid for the Holland international. But given his playing time and form over the last 12 months that will prove difficult.

As per the Italian reports, both Serie A clubs would only sign Van de Beek on loan with an option to buy.

Solskjaer sympathy for Van de Beek

Solskjaer has sympathised with Van de Beek’s frustrations over a lack of opportunities.

“I manage a squad full of international footballers, competitive footballers who want to make a difference, want to play. They all want to be on the pitch, of course they do,” Solskjaer said ahead of the draw with Everton.

“Donny was ready to come on [against Villarreal], as all the players should be. I’ve probably been a substitute more than anyone in this club and you have to be ready all the time.

“I’ve not been very happy a few times, but that’s just a decision the manager makes. Alex (Telles) was coming off as a left-back and Fred did that job well.

“I understand the frustration. Every player is keen to play. That’s got to be built into energy and some determination for when you get on and then show me. That is not just Donny, that is all the players.”

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