Man Utd flop Donny van de Beek 'set to sign for new club for embarrassingly low fee'

Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek is reportedly set to complete a permanent move to La Liga side Girona, with the operation set to cost just £430,000 in total.

Van de Beek arrived at Old Trafford four years ago with much promise, having played a key role in Ajax’s run to the Champions League semi-final, but failed to live up to that expectation and also had unsuccessful loan spells with Everton and Eintracht Frankfurt.

He spent the second half of last season with the Bundesliga club, who had a purchase option of £8.5m but decided against taking that up, instead Girona have moved to secure a cut-price deal.

Spanish outlet Relevo claim that Van de Beek is in advanced negotiations with Girona and with the 27-year-old still contracted to United for another year, the fee to cut that short is far less than the original £40million that the Red Devils spent to sign him from Ajax in 2020.

Girona, who secured Champions League football through a third-placed finish in La Liga last season, believe that Van de Beek is ‘recoverable’ after a disappointing few years in England. He is said to complete a move ‘if nothing goes wrong’ and will link up with another former United and Holland star in Daley Blind.

It remains to be seen whether a deal can be sewn up before Van de Beek is due to report for United pre-season training, which begins on Monday (July 8) for players not involved in international competitions this summer.

His compatriot Erik ten Hag has struggled to find a place for Van de Beek at Old Trafford since his arrival, adding Mason Mount to Bruno Fernandes in competition for the ex-Ajax star, while United are also looking to sign another midfielder this summer.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte is considered to be a top target to fill the gap alongside Kobbie Mainoo, with Casemiro also expected to depart amid interest from Saudi Arabia.

Van de Beek has scored two goals and assisted two since signing for United and will be desperate for a fresh start at Girona, who under boss Michel enjoyed an inspired campaign that saw them challenge Real Madrid and Barcelona at the pinnacle of the Spanish top flight.

And it could be the forgotten Dutchman who gets the last laugh, playing Champions League football next season while United are competing in the Europa League instead following a disappointing campaign.