Newcastle kickstart mind-boggling move for 'worst signing' in Man Utd history

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 2 Jul 2023 09:32 BST
• 4 min read

Newcastle's signing of Sandro Tonali from AC Milan could offer Donny van de Beek a surprise way out of Manchester United.

Newcastle are set to complete the €70 million signing of Milan midfielder Tonali, which will be an Italian record transfer - one that strengthens Eddie Howe's side and leaves the Rossoneri flush with cash.

And according to Fichajes, via the Manchester Evening News, Milan plan to spend some of that money on United flop Van de Beek, whom they hope could plug the gap left by Tonali in midfield.

READ: Newcastle CLOSE to signing Sandro Tonali for €70m

"AC Milan could try and reinforce their midfield with a player who has the approval of [Milan manager] Stefano Pioli," write Fichajes. "He is the main driver of such a transfer as the Rossoneri could be willing to pay close to €20 million."

— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) March 2, 2023

Depreciating value

United paid Ajax €39m for Van de Beek's services in September 2020 but after an abject spell at Old Trafford he is now only valued at €16.7m by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm, and transfer journalist Dean Jones recently described him as 'one of the worst signings this decade.'

Van de Beek won the Dutch domestic treble under Erik ten Hag at Ajax in 2019, but he has still struggled at Old Trafford despite being reunited with his compatriot last summer.

READ: The TWELVE players Man Utd will DUMP in mass summer clear-out

United won the EFL Cup and finished third in the Premier League in Ten Hag's first season at the helm, but Van de Beek only started two league games and one in that cup run with the coach reportedly shocked at the player's collapse in confidence.

Van de Beek is expected to be oart of a mass exodus from Old Trafford this summer with Harry Maguire, Jadon Sancho and Scott McTominay also on the chopping block.

If they can get €20m for him, United might be laughing all the way to the bank.