Revealed: Why Van de Beek DIDN'T leave Man Utd this summer

Cameron Smith

Updated: 3 Sept 2023 14:44 BST
4 min read

Donny van de Beek remains a Manchester United player after the Premier League giants were unable to offload the Dutchman during the summer transfer window.

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Van de Beek, 26, was touted for a move to Real Sociedad, among others, while a transfer to Ligue 1 side FC Lorient was also a possibility, but the French outfit were unwilling to discuss a deal for the former Ajax man on Deadline Day.

That has been reported by L’Equipe, who have revealed that Van de Beek’s attitude towards the club dissuaded them from pushing for a late move for the former Netherlands international.

According to the report, Lorient were interested in signing Van de Beek in mid-August, but he refused to discuss a move despite a loan agreement being reached by the two clubs.

The Dutchman’s representatives then contacted Lorient at 10pm on Deadline Day in an attempt to secure a deal after a change of heart from Van de Beek.

However, Lorient did not appreciate the Dutchman refusing a move before then attempting to negotiate a last minute transfer. As a result, he remains a Man Utd player.

Lorient sold star man Enzo Le Fee to Stade Rennais earlier this summer, leaving a gaping hole in their central midfield, which is likely what prompted their initial interest in Van de Beek.

Van de Beek to still leave Man Utd?

While the transfer window is now shut for Europe’s big five leagues, clubs in Belgium, Portugal, Turkey and Saudi Arabia are still able to make transfers.

As a result, Van de Beek could well leave Man Utd in September. The Dutchman has made just 60 appearances for the Red Devils since he joined the club in 2020, with only 23 of those coming as starts.

Man Utd made seven signings during the summer window - Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount, Andre Onana, Altay Bayindir, Jonny Evans, Sofyan Amrabat (loan) and Sergio Reguilon (loan) - while they offloaded seven stars for a transfer fee.