Man United and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have an unwanted transfer headache. (Image: Getty)
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been handed an unwanted transfer headache ahead of the summer window, with Donny van de Beek set to return to the club. The Manchester United man has spent the second half of the campaign out on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt, but his time with the Bundesliga side has been nothing short of a disaster.
It was supposed to be the loan move that reignited Van de Beek’s career, but instead, it looks to have set the Dutchman back even further. Van de Beek has started just four league matches for Eintracht, with the ex-Ajax starlet spending the majority of his time in Frankfurt on the bench.
What’s more, Eintracht have passed up on the opportunity to sign Van de Beek permanently, with Fabrizio Romano reporting they won’t be triggering the £9.3million (plus £2.5million in add-ons) option to buy. Instead, according to the journalist, Van de Beek will be on the lookout for a new club when the transfer window opens, with United boss Erik ten Hag having shown him the cold shoulder. It’s produced a sticky situation for Ratcliffe, who is gearing up for his first transfer window in charge of the Premier League club.
Donny van de Beek has struggled out on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt. (Image: Getty)
United splashed a whopping £34.6million on Van de Beek’s signature four years ago, but the Red Devils now risk losing him for a fraction of that price. Van de Beek has one year left to run on his contract at Old Trafford, meaning United will face a hard time commanding a big fee for the Dutch international.
Of course, there is the option for Van de Beek to head back out on loan, but given the 26-year-old is pocketing a reported £90,000 per week on his United deal, it could prove a deal too expensive to sanction. As a result, it appears the three-time European champions will have to search for a permanent solution to their Van de Beek problem.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
It could prove a busy summer of outgoings at United, with Romano also reporting Anthony Martial is set for an Old Trafford exit. Posting on X, the Italian claimed Martial will depart at the end of the season, with the forward currently weighing up his preferred options. Unfortunately for Ratcliffe, Martial is out of contract, meaning the Frenchman - who joined for £36million in 2015 - will leave the club on a free transfer.
