Ronald Koeman’s Barcelona could rival Everton in pursuit of Donny van de Beek
Barcelona could make a January move for Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek, who almost joined Everton during the summer.
Spanish news outlet Sport claims the Dutchman is on Ronaldo Koeman’s four-man list for the winter transfer window.
Ex-Blues boss Koeman, who now manages Barca, wants to sign a “more physical player” in midfield after missing out on Georginio Wijnaldum last summer, who left Liverpool for PSG.
Tanguy Ndombele [Tottenham Hotspur], Marcelo Brozovic [Inter Milan] and Franck Kessie [AC Milan] join van de Beek on Koeman’s wishlist.
The La Liga giants could face a big battle for van de Beek, however, with Juventus and Everton, who are particularly interested, ready to pounce after the 24-year-old’s continued lack of involvement on the pitch for Manchester United.
Van de Beek has fallen on hard times at Old Trafford, but his performances at Ajax, where Arsene Wenger called him “unbelievable” [beIN SPORTS] in 2019, have seen his stock remain high.
Blues to blow Barca and Koeman out of the water?
Suggesting that Everton could be a better destination than Barcelona would raise many eyebrows in years gone by, but there is a good argument to say that signing for the Spanish side would be a big mistake.
The Catalan outfit are no longer the giants they once were in European football, with Lionel Messi finally ending his association with them this summer as they suffer severe financial issues, years of overspending catching up with the club.
That means they are restricted on what they can pay in transfer fees and wages, for example.
That already gives the likes of Everton the upper hand.
But, even on a sporting level, they are in disarray.
Two Champions League defeats have them staring down the barrel of an early exit from Europe’s premier club competition, while they are already five points off the pace in La Liga.
Of course, the chance to reunite with his former manager from the Netherlands national side is likely to appeal to van de Beek, but Koeman’s days look numbered, and it even feels premature for him to look as far ahead as January.
In other Everton news, a Sky Sports pundit has shared a money verdict as a Goodison exit is mooted for this Blues star.
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