Man Utd to facilitate MAJOR transfer with double sale – Fabrizio Romano

Tom Hancock

28 Jul 2023 21:51 BST
3 min read

Fabrizio Romano and the Manchester United badge on a red and black abstract background — © ProShots

Manchester United are waiting to offload Donny van de Beek and Fred before completing a move for Sofyan Amrabat, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Article continues under the video

The two midfielders have been deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, with Van de Beek reportedly a target for Real Sociedad and Fred said to be of interest to Napoli.

Man Utd continue to be strongly linked with Fiorentina’s Amrabat – who helped Morocco to an historic World Cup semi-final last year – as an upgrade in the middle of the park.

MORE: Man Utd and Liverpool on alert as transfer target REJECTS new contract

Romano has confirmed that Real Sociedad are ‘actively working’ on a deal for Van de Beek, adding that United will look to wrap up the transfer of Amrabat once they have sold the Dutchman and Fred.

For Van de Beek, a departure would mark the end of an ultimately disastrous chapter in his career: since arriving from Ajax three years ago, he’s made only 34 Premier League appearances for Man Utd (in addition to seven on loan at Everton in the latter part of the 2021/22 campaign).

Fred – a £47m (€59m) signing from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2018 – meanwhile, despite undergoing something of a renaissance in recent seasons, was never likely to be the man to take Ten Hag’s United to the next level.

Our in-house Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) model currently rates Van de Beek and Fred at €13.3m and €16.8m respectively.

MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers | All the Done Deals

Real Sociedad are actively working to sign Donny Van de Beek from Man Utd, true — as @NotGip reported ⚪️🔵🇳🇱

Negotiations are ongoing but still no agreement on formula of the deal and personal terms. Talks continue.

Man United wait for Donny/Fred to leave then push for Amrabat. pic.twitter.com/1llShRE4ta
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 28, 2023

Two out, two in?

Man Utd have reportedly already agreed a deal in principle to sign Amrabat for £30m (€34.9m).

The 26-year-old deep-lying playmaker is one of two Serie A stars potentially on their way to Old Trafford in the coming weeks – along with Rasmus Hojlund of Atalanta, who United appear to be getting ever closer to signing.