Man United flop Donny van de Beek ‘offers himself to Barcelona’ with injured star Gavi out for the rest of the season… as Juventus ‘eye up a loan-to-buy deal for the out-of-favour Dutchman’

Donny van de Beek has once again been linked with an exit from Manchester United in the upcoming transfer window, with the perennially out-of-favour Dutchman now reportedly offering himself to Barcelona. 

Van de Beek emerged as one of the exciting young midfielders in Europe after starring for Ajax in their famous Champions League run in 2018-19 that saw them beat Real Madrid and Juventus. 

While compatriots Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt left the Dutch giants that following summer after their collective rise to prominence, Van de Beek stayed on another season before departing for Man United.

Yet unlike his former team-mates, things have not gone quite so swimmingly for Van de Beek, who has been a regular feature on the bench in his three years at Old Trafford. 

Now, though, there could be a potential exit on the cards, with the midfielder thought to be taking an active role in trying to get a move to Barcelona over the line, according to reports from Spain.

The Catalan giants are without Gavi until the end of the season after an ACL rupture for Spain

While some at the club are not keen on a short-term patch members of the coaching staff are keen for an intermediary signing ahead of a long second half of the season

Sport claims that the door is open for a move from Barcelona to bring in the Dutchman on a short-term basis, with star Gavi out injured after rupturing his ACL, likely rendering him out of action until after the end of season.

As such, there is a hole in the centre of the park for the Blaugrana, particularly in a more advanced, attacking role, that Van de Beek could fill.

The Spanish report does contend that the Catalan giants are not entirely convinced by the prospect of a six-moth deal to tie them over until the end of the season, although members of the coaching staff are thought to be more keen with a long second half of the season to come.

Erik ten Hag has admitted that he is open to letting the player go, stating: ‘I can see he has to play for his career and for everything.’

Van de Beek, though, is understandably thought to be very keen to move, given he has played an average of just 34 minutes in his 62 games for the Red Devils in three years, starting only 23 times in all competitions. 

‘I am bouncing to play matches again,’ he said, as quoted by The Mirror. ‘The manager is making different choices now. We have a big squad and I am not the only one knocking on the door. We’ll see in January what happens.

‘I need to start playing games very soon – if not at Man United then at another club. I think I have to be ambitious.

‘I have always been a lover of the game. I am absolutely crazy about football. I earn a good living at United, but money is not my motivation. I want to enjoy my work every day.’

Having come through the ranks at Ajax, his play style and profile would fit that of Barcelona; the two sides traditionally play a very similar possession-based, attacking style with an emphasis on short, one-touch passing popularised by Johan Cruyff – a legendary figure at both clubs. 

Van de Beek has made only two appearances this season – one in the league and one in the Carabao Cup

Ten Hag has continued to leave the midfielder on the bench, as did both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick

The Dutch midfielder would fit the profile for Barcelona having come through the ranks at Ajax

But Barca are not the only side linked with a swoop for the midfielder, with Sport also reporting that Juventus are looking to complete a loan-to-buy deal for the 26-year-old. 

The Old Lady are thought to be convinced that they can return the player to his best, and are currently looking to return to dominance in Serie A, having gone without a Scudetto since 2019-20 when Inter ended their nine-year dominance. 

Although Barca are still a weakened force financially in the transfer market, the player’s contract is up in 2025, meaning the Red Devils could be keen to offload their player on the cheap next summer rather than risk him leaving for free.

As such, a loan-to-buy deal such as Juventus are reportedly eyeing up could be to the benefit of all parties – especially with Van de Beek potentially keeping a  chance to impress Ronald Koeman ahead of next summer’s Euros in mind.

Massimiliano Allegri’s Juventus are also reportedly keen on a move for the Dutch midfielder

The Netherlands will face France, Austria and potentially Wales in their Euro 2024 Group