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Manchester United is on the cusp of finalizing their first sale of the summer transfer window with Donny van de Beek poised to join Girona. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano announced the details of the deal on social media, emphasizing its certainty with his well-known “here we go” phrase.
United stands to gain an initial €500k from the sale of the Dutch midfielder, with additional achievable add-ons potentially raising the total to around €4 million or €5 million. While there are further incentives that could make the deal worth €15 million, these are less likely to be activated.
In a heartfelt farewell, Donny van de Beek shared an emotional message with the Manchester United community via Instagram. His post read:
“Dear Manchester United family. Today is a memorable day as my adventure at the club comes to an end. I want to thank you all for your support throughout the years. From the moment we arrived at Manchester United, we felt extremely welcome and we are grateful for that. Thank you to everyone at the club for making us feel at home.
“A special thanks to all the fans that made these years unforgettable. Besides the football, the birth of our two children here ensures that Manchester will always have a special place in our hearts. Good luck to everybody, we’ll meet again.”
Van de Beek’s journey at Manchester United has been a rollercoaster. Once a highly sought-after talent during his time at Ajax, he chose to join United, reflecting his love for the club. However, his time at Old Trafford didn’t pan out as many had hoped. Despite the promise he showed, van de Beek struggled to secure a regular spot in the starting lineup.
The deal with Girona also includes a sell-on clause, meaning that while United might not initially make a significant amount from the deal, they could recoup some of their investment if van de Beek regains his form. This permanent move would mark a considerable financial loss for United, who initially spent €39 million, with a possible €5 million in add-ons, to bring him from Ajax four years ago.
During his time at United, the 27-year-old midfielder was loaned to Eintracht Frankfurt, where he started just four matches. The Bundesliga club decided against exercising their option to sign him permanently for £9.5 million. Over his four seasons with United, van de Beek made only 62 appearances across all competitions. His last full 90-minute match was during his loan spell at Everton in March 2022.
The departure of van de Beek is indeed poignant for many United fans, who had high hopes for the Dutch midfielder. Despite the challenges he faced at the club, his talent and potential were always evident. Fans will undoubtedly continue to support him in his future endeavors, hoping he finds the success and playing time he deserves.
Van de Beek’s move to Girona represents a fresh start for the midfielder, who will look to reinvigorate his career in Spain. As United bids farewell to a player who once held so much promise, the club and its supporters reflect on what might have been and wish him all the best in his new chapter.
