Clearly, it’s a soap opera that could finally end on the other side of the Channel. Arriving at Manchester United for 39 million euros in the summer of 2020, the Dutch midfielder never managed to establish himself with the Red Devils, despite playing time under the leadership of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (42 matches, 2 goals and 2 assists) before almost disappearing from the radar with temporary workers Ralf Rangnick and Michael Carrick (8 matches under their two mandates, without being decisive). With the arrival of his former coach Erik ten Hag, whom he knew for three seasons at Ajax Amsterdam between 2017 and 2020, we believed in a return to form from the Oranje international (19 caps, 3 goals). But nay.
Several exit options have been proposed to dislodge him from Old Trafford in the expected downsizing in Manchester. Under contract until 2025, the native of Nijkerkerveen saw FC Lorient, Galatasaray and Real Sociedad inquire about securing his services, without success. Ultimately, it is Germany that could welcome the 26-year-old: in fact, BILD announces that Eintracht Frankfurt should sign him in the form of a loan with a purchase option – not obligatory – of 15 million euros. The club across the Rhine is nevertheless trying to lower the compensation, and would only cover 40% of his salary, estimated at €7 million per year. In the event of arrival this winter, the winners of the 2022 Europa League would like to have it available from January 2, in order to compensate for the departure of Ellyes Skhiri to Ivory Coast for CAN 2023 with Tunisia and the long absence of Sebastian Rode.
