Real Sociedad have reportedly withdrawn their interest in out-of-favour Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek.
The Dutchman’s forgettable spell at Old Trafford is expected to end this summer as he fails to reignite his career under ex-Ajax boss Erik ten Hag.
Initially, Sociedad appeared keen to secure Van de Beek’s signature, and talks were believed to be progressing well. However, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Sociedad has had a change of heart.
Instead, they are allegedly looking to strike a deal for the 20-year-old Dynamo Moscow midfielder Arsen Zakharyan, whose performances have also caught the attention of Chelsea.
If Sociedad manages to agree on a fee for Zakharyan, they will no longer pursue Van de Beek, forcing him to explore other options to end his disappointing Man United stint.
Sociedad could potentially reverse their decision if the move for Zakharyan falls through while Man United and Van de Beek desperately search for a new club for the upcoming 2023-24 season.
Van de Beek played a crucial role in Ten Hag’s renowned Ajax team that reached the semi-finals of the 2018-19 Champions League before securing a £33.7m move to Old Trafford in 2020.
Unfortunately, the midfielder has only managed two goals and two assists in 60 appearances for Man United. During the 2021-22 season, he was loaned to struggling Everton.
Competition for places and a serious knee injury restricted Van de Beek to just 10 appearances across all competitions last season. However, he made a full recovery during pre-season and showed promise in friendly matches, scoring the winner against Lyon and providing two assists in a loss to Borussia Dortmund.
Despite his positive pre-season form, Van de Beek is expected to be part of Man United’s summer cull, alongside Fred’s move to Fenerbahce.
Ten Hag seems to favor Casemiro and Christian Eriksen as his first-choice midfield pairing. Additionally, the signings of Mason Mount and the emergence of Kobbie Mainoo have pushed Van de Beek further down the pecking order.
There are also rumors linking Scott McTominay with a possible transfer to West Ham United as Manchester United seeks funds for potential moves for Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat or Everton’s Amadou Onana.
Manchester United will kickstart their 2023-24 Premier League season by hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday, where Van de Beek is likely to find himself on the bench at best.