Manchester United To Offer Donny Van De Beek In Swap Deal For Midfielder

Manchester United are set to offer Donny Van de Beek as part of a swap deal for AC Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer. 

The Dutch midfielder has so far failed to live up to the hype that came with his signing from Ajax in 2020. He was sent out on loan to Everton for the second half of the 21/22 season but again failed to get regular game time. 

Van de Beek has since returned to United and has featured under new boss Erik ten Hag during the team’s first two pre season games. But it is looking increasingly likely that his time at Old Trafford could be at an end. 

According to Italian news outlet Calcio Mercato, Van de Beek has been included in a potential swap deal for Milan’s Algerian midfielder Bennacer. 

Bennacer was a key member of the Milan side which won the Serie A title, therefore any deal to lure the player away from Italy will not be cheap. 

The report from Calcio Mercato stated that the San Siro club values Bennacer in the region of €45 million, United are hoping that they could lower the asking price by adding Van de Beek into the deal. 

24-year-old Bennacer has been described as a deep lying playmaker during his time with Milan, a player that possesses qualities that United are desperately crying out for. 

The Algerian could be the perfect alternative if United fail to get a deal across the line for Barcelona’s Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong. 

United and Barcelona have agreed an initial transfer fee of £63.6 million, plus an extra £8.5 million in performance related add ons. 

However, despite the agreement between the two clubs, De Jong has showed no signs of wanting to leave the Catalan club. The 25-year-old is believed to be happy at Barcelona having previously described his move to the Camp Nou as his ‘dream’ move. 

Ten Hag is believed to be desperate for De Jong to join him at Old Trafford but if the player is not willing to move, he will have to look at other alternatives.

United so far have successfully completed the signings of left back Tyrell Malacia, midfielder Christian Eriksen and centre back Lisandro Martinez. 

The team is currently in Australia as they gear up for their next pre season match on Tuesday, against fellow Premier League side, Crystal Palace.