Donny van de Beek | Source: Getty Images

08:57 AM 13th May 2024 | Source: ESPN

Since joining Manchester United in 2020, few players have faced as many challenges as Donny van de Beek while wearing the United kit. The Dutch midfielder, previously flourishing at Ajax, secured a move to Old Trafford amid high expectations. However, with Bruno Fernandes's presence and other issues, Van de Beek struggled to break into the first-team squad.

As a result, the now 27-year-old has only made 62 appearances for the club since his arrival, often being loaned out instead. This includes spells at Everton and Eintracht Frankfurt, with Van de Beek joining the latter in January of this year. However, despite the loan move having an €11 million option to buy, the Bundesliga side has decided against making it permanent.

Donny van de Beek Transfer: Guido Albers reveals that the midfielder will be leaving England this summer

Van de Beek's struggle for form and playing time has been evident, with just eight appearances since the start of his loan spell. Consequently, the midfielder is poised to return to Old Trafford at the end of the season, though reports suggest his future doesn't lie there. This has now been confirmed by his agent, Guido Albers, who stated that Van de Beek will indeed be departing.

Moreover, Albers disclosed that Van de Beek won't be joining another Premier League club, a decision agreed upon by both the player and Manchester United. Additionally, despite speculation linking him with a return to Ajax, Albers revealed that this won't be happening. Instead, their preference is a move to Spain, France, or Italy.

“For me it is a very nice moment in his career to pick it up again. We said together, ‘back to basics’. He’s lost that a bit in recent years. He is hungry and eager to please. I came to an agreement with Frankfurt for him. Frankfurt still had an option until June 30, which they will not exercise,” Albers told ESPN’s Goedemorgen Eredivisie

“Officially he is now going back to Manchester United and I am now in discussions with him. Donny does not want to stay in the Premier League, also because United do not want that. That is not a good choice for him.”

“He needs to return to a club that plays good football. In any case, he will not return to Ajax. My preference was to look in Spain, Italy or France. If I could get him in Spain or Italy that would be fantastic, at a club where he will play as a No.10 like he played at Ajax. You see that the Dutch are successful in a certain way in Spanish or Italian football.

“He was very close to a transfer to Real Sociedad last summer. That was cancelled at the last minute because Erik ten Hag wanted to keep him until the last minute. Then he ended up at Frankfurt.”