Everton tried to sign Van de Beek in the summer, confirms Brands

Since his £35.7m move from Ajax in September 2020, Donny van de Beek has struggled to get game time at Manchester United. The former Ajax star was linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer, but Everton’s move for the 24-year fell through.

In an interview with

, the Toffees’ director of football Marcel Brands confirmed his side’s interest in signing the Dutchman.

“We had him on our list."

Brands said.

“At the beginning of the transfer window, we enquired at United, then it was impossible.

“At the end of the window, I received a call from Guido Albers, his agent, that he might be rented out after all. But at the last minute it was cancelled. Stopped again.”

Asked whether the Toffees will try again to sign the Netherlands international, Brands responded:

“You always depend on whether a club wants to cooperate. And it is early October, so much can still happen with injuries. United are playing on various fronts, it’s hard to say now.

“It is of course a pity for Donny. He is a very good player, no doubt about it.

“Such a boy wants to play and wants to return to the Dutch national team. But you know that at such a club the pressure is great and the competition is huge.

“When you see what United had sitting on the bench [against Everton at the weekend]: Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho, Paul Pogba…”

Van de Beek has featured in three games for Manchester United across all competitions this season. The Netherlands international is expected to attract suitors for a potential move in the winter transfer window.

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