Eintracht Frankfurt make early move for £40m Man Utd outcast
- Man Utd midfielder Donny van de Beek wanted by former Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt
- Dutchman seeking exit from Old Trafford in order to play regular first-team football
- Other clubs across Europe also eyeing 26-year-old central midfielder
Eintracht Frankfurt have made an early move to try and sign Donny van de Beek on loan from Manchester United, sources have confirmed to 90min.
Van de Beek is surplus to requirements at Old Trafford and came close to sealing a summer exit following talks with Real Sociedad over a loan, but the move collapsed and he stayed put for the first half of the 2023/24 season.
The Dutchman has played just 21 minutes for United so far this campaign and he is likely to leave during the January transfer window.
90min understands Bundesliga side Frankfurt have made an attempt to take him on loan already and are hopeful this will give them an advantage, with several other sides keen on Van de Beek too. Real Sociedad remain interested despite previous talks breaking down, as are La Liga's surprise table-toppers Girona.
Former club Ajax, who sold Van de Beek to United for an initial £35m plus £5m in add-ons back in 2020, would love to welcome the 26-year-old back to the Johan Cruyff Arena amid their struggles this season.
Van de Beek also has potential suitors from the Premier League, with Crystal Palace and Fulham making enquiries. However, their interest has not advanced since making those calls.
United are determined to insert an obligatory purchase clause into any loan for Van de Beek, which is why he was unable to secure a move away during the summer.
In an interview with the Daily Mirror at the end of November, Van de Beek insisted he needs to be playing regular football again.
"I am bouncing to play matches again. 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," he said.
"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."
Elsewhere at United, 90min revealed on Monday that the club are set to allow Anthony Martial to leave the club as they do not plan to extend his contract beyond 2024. The Red Devils are still considering the long-term futures of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Victor Lindelof, whose deals are also up at the end of the season but the club have the option to extend them by one year.
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