Arteta seeks transfer to hijack Ten Hag's plan to sell forgotten Man Utd star

01 September 2023 , 13:42

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Arteta seeks transfer to hijack Ten Hag's plan to sell forgotten Man Utd star

The futures of Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek and Albert Sambi Lokonga of Arsenal are intertwined as both seek late transfers.

Neither central midfielder is part of their club’s first-team plans this season and both have been offered to other clubs ahead of the summer transfer window closing. United signed Van de Beek, 26, from Ajax in a £35million deal in 2020 but he has struggled to establish himself as a first-team regular at Old Trafford.

Van de Beek has started just six Premier League matches across three seasons at the club. Last season, he had to undergo surgery after suffering a season-ending knee injury in a three-goal home win over Bournemouth at the beginning of January.

The Dutchman is one of a handful of fringe players who are free to leave Old Trafford before the window shuts but he rejected the opportunity to join Ligue 1 club Lorient. There were several other options for Van de Beek, but none of the interest was formalised.

Newly promoted Luton were considering a move for the midfielder while he was under consideration from Inter, who also made contact for Davy Klaassen of Ajax. Galatasaray were another option, but the Turkish giants may instead have turned their attention to Sambi Lokonga.

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The 23-year-old joined Arsenal two summers ago but has never established himself as a regular starter and, despite making 39 appearances for the Gunners, was loaned to Crystal Palace for the second half of last season.

Have Your Say! Should a Premier League club consider signing Van de Beek or Sambi Lokonga? Tell us what you think here.

Van de Beek was involved in Man Utd's pre-season but is not part of Erik ten Hag's plans (Getty Images)

Mikel Arteta’s side were attempting to find a club willing to take on the Belgian international, with Luton and Galatasaray – two clubs who were weighing up a switch for Van de Beek, in the running. The scenario put United and Arsenal in a head-to-head situation to move on their deadweight.

Earlier this month, Sambi Lokonga expressed his desire for a fresh start this summer, telling YouTube channel Wonhee Hyung : "I will try to go somewhere where I can play so that's the most important thing for me - to have some games and play game after game."

After his debut campaign in north London, the midfielder explained to La Derniere Heure : "At the end of last season, I almost snapped. I called my agent to ask him if staying at Arsenal was a good idea. He comforted me in my choice, even though I know I need to start more often to develop."

Colin Millar