ESPN: Everton take final decision over Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek after Marcel Brands exit
Everton are ruled out of the race to sign Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek, according to ESPN‘s Mark Ogden.
Writing on the latest edition of ESPN’s ‘Insider’s Notebook’, Ogden claims the 24-year-old Dutchman’s Everton escape is over after his countryman left his position as director of football at Goodison Park last week (5 December).
On Friday (10 December), Ogden wrote: “Sources told ESPN that Everton’s long-standing interest in the player ended when Marcel Brands left his post as director of football at Goodison Park.
“Brands, who joined Everton from PSV Eindhoven in June 2018, was close to negotiating a deal to take the former Ajax midfielder on loan at the start of this season, but United senior figures were reluctant to sanction the departure of a player who had cost an initial £35m when signing from Ajax in August 2020.
“Van de Beek was overlooked by former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and remained a key Brands target, despite the reservations of Everton manager Rafael Benitez. With Brands gone, sources said Everton will focus attention elsewhere when it comes to strengthening the squad in January.”
Rafa goes elsewhere
The Netherlands international looked to be a solid mid-season purchase for the Blues to bolster their midfield options.
He has had a nightmare 16 months in Manchester after joining from Ajax in August 2020.
Van de Beek has made just 25 appearances, scoring two goals.
But his stock remains high after previously starring in the Champions League for Ajax, and Manchester United’s recent troubles have said more about them than the midfielder.
There remains a quality player ready to be unlocked in van de Beek but, seemingly, it won’t be at Everton.
Benitez needs to sign another central midfielder but perhaps he wants someone with a bit more presence, allowing Abdoulaye Doucoure to push a little higher.
In other Everton news, the Blues made an approach on Thursday to sign this ‘Awesome’ Gary Lineker-hailed ace.
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