Donny van de Beek’s agent never made the Manchester United midfielder aware of offers to leave this summer, according to The Times, following an earlier approach from Arsenal.
The Dutchman made clear earlier this summer that he had no interest in accepting any offer to leave Old Trafford. Van de Beek only joined the Red Devils from Ajax last September in a deal that could reach £40m.
But the 24-year-old’s debut Premier League season only returned 19 appearances, starting just four, plus one goal and an assist. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is also yet to unleash the 19-cap international over the first two games of the new campaign.
Yet Van de Beek is determined to win over Solskjaer, gain his trust and secure his future at Manchester United. So much so, his representatives elected not to pass on any details over the off-season regarding transfers after receiving offers.
Arsenal were one club to show an interest in Van de Beek, per 90min, after the Gunners contacted Manchester United. Mikel Arteta wanted the north Londoners to add at least two midfielders to his engine room over the summer.
Reports by ESPN also noted Manchester United were open to selling Van de Beek amid the reports of Arsenal’s pursuit. But Arteta’s efforts seemingly never got out of first gear, as the midfielder sought to put plans in place to overcome Solskjaer’s emerging concerns.
The Times note Solskjaer felt the Nijkerkerveen native lacked the strength to cope with the rigours of Premier League football. Van de Beek seemingly took that on board, as he has since bulked up and adopted a new diet.
Should Arsenal have kept up Van de Beek pursuit, despite his United desires?
Arsenal, then, clearly faced a battle they were never likely to win to sign Van de Beek from Manchester United. The Dutchman would certainly have been an exciting addition to Arteta’s midfield if a deal was possible. Despite his Red Devils difficulties last term.
But Van de Beek’s heart is only for Old Trafford, and will hope his new physique impresses Solskjaer this season. Yet it was not enough to earn minutes in their 5-1 demolition of Leeds or Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Southampton. Although even Bruno Fernandes acknowledges the changes the Dutchman has made to earn his shot in the Premier League.
“He’s working hard and working hard in the gym,” Fernandes told Manchester United’s club website earlier this month. Obviously, he is one of the quality players we know and now he’s building up.”
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