Ally McCoist has told talkSPORT that Tottenham Hotspur should be fighting rivals Crystal Palace to seal a loan transfer with Manchester United for midfielder Donny van de Beek.
The iconic Rangers manager believes the Dutchman can solve a pressing need in Antonio Conte’s squad that Spurs have overlooked. He feels strongly that the north Londoners have not replaced Christian Eriksen since selling the Denmark playmaker to Inter Milan.
Eriksen left the Premier League for Serie A in January 2020 for £17m, seven-years after the midfielder arrived in England. He proved himself as one of the division’s elite maestro’s at Tottenham, who paid Ajax £11.5m back in August 2013.
The 29-year-old, who Sky Sports report is close to joining Brentford, struck 51 goals and 69 assists in 226 Premier League appearances for Spurs. Only in Eriksen’s second (2) and final (2) seasons in England did he fail to offer at least 10 assists.
McCoist urges Tottenham to rival Crystal Palace for Van de Beek transfer
Van de Beek could be the next Eredivisie import to feature in London if Crystal Palace seal a loan transfer with Manchester United. The Dutchman has struggled to establish himself at Old Trafford since a potential £40m move from Ajax in September 2020.
He has started just 19 of his 50 outings in all competitions for 1,836-minutes – the same as 20.4 full games. The 24-year-old has also only made 14 appearances this term with five for 115-minutes coming since Ralf Rangnick’s arrival.
Crystal Palace have asked to sign Van de Beek in a loan transfer from Manchester United, per Fabrizio Romano. Additionally, talkSPORT note the Eagles are confident of sealing his arrival at Selhurst Park. Van de Beek wants to leave this month over his lack of game time.
But McCoist urges Tottenham to rival Crystal Palace if Manchester United let Van de Beek leave in a loan transfer. As the Dutchman can be Spurs’ long-sought Eriksen replacement.
“I still think in terms of Spurs, I don’t think they’ve replaced Eriksen,” McCoist said. “I think that’s the type of player they need. I’m not sure if Van de Beek has done enough at United to indicate that Spurs would be interested.
“But he definitely needs to go and get playing along with guys like [Jesse] Lingard and Dele Alli. Van de Beek is clearly not fancied [at Old Trafford].”
Even if Tottenham are interested in a loan transfer for Van de Beek, Manchester United will likely favour Crystal Palace. The Red Devils will be loath to strengthen Spurs, given the clubs are battling for qualification into Europe next season.
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