Once cost 39 million
Donny van de Beek moved from Ajax Amsterdam to Manchester United for 39 million euros in the summer of 2020 as one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe – since then the Dutchman’s form curve has been pointing downwards. His coach Erik ten Hag probably also sees it that way now. “He has to play for his career,” said ten Hag about his compatriot, whom he only brought on twice this season. With these words, coach van de Beek is essentially betting on the transfer market for the winter.
8 times over 70 million: Manchester United’s most expensive purchases
26 Wayne Rooney | 04/05 from Everton FC | Transfer fee: €37 million
© IMAGO
As of: December 2023
25 Luke Shaw | 14/15 from Southampton FC | Transfer fee: €37.5 million
© IMAGO
23 Eric Bailly | 16/17 from Villarreal FC | Transfer fee: €38 million
© IMAGO
23 Dimitar Berbatov | 08/09 by Tottenham | Transfer fee: €38 million
© IMAGO
22 Donny van de Beek | 20/21 from Ajax Amsterdam | Transfer fee: €39 million
© IMAGO
21 Raphaël Varane | 21/22 by Real Madrid | Transfer fee: €40 million
© IMAGO
20 Henrikh Mkhitaryan |16/17 from BVB | Transfer fee: €42 million
© IMAGO
19 Juan Sebastián Veron | 01/02 from Lazio Rome | Transfer fee: €42.6 million
© IMAGO
18 Nemanja Matic | 17/18 from Chelsea FC | Transfer fee: €44.7 million
© IMAGO
17 Juan Mata | 13/14 from Chelsea FC | Transfer fee: €44.73 million
© IMAGO
16 Rio Ferdinand | 02/03 by Leeds United | Transfer fee: €46 million
© TM/IMAGO
15 Andre Onana | 23/24 by Inter | Transfer fee: €52.5 million
© IMAGO
14 Aaron Wan-Bissaka | 19/20 by Crystal Palace | Transfer fee: €55 million
© IMAGO
13 Lisandro Martinez | 22/23 from Ajax | Transfer fee: €57.4 million
© IMAGO
12 Fred | 18/19 from Shakhtar Donetsk| Transfer fee: €59 million
© IMAGO
11 Anthony Martial | 15/16 by AS Monaco | Transfer fee: €60 million
© IMAGO
10 Mason Mount | 23/24 by Chelsea | Transfer fee: €64.2 million
© IMAGO
9 Bruno Fernandes | 19/20 by Sporting CP | Transfer fee: €65 million
© IMAGO
8 Casemiro | 22/23 by Real Madrid | Transfer fee: €70.65 million
© IMAGO
6 Rasmus Højlund | 23/24 by Atalanta | Transfer fee: €75 million
© IMAGO
6 Angel Di Maria | 14/15 by Real Madrid | Transfer fee: €75 million
© IMAGO
5 Romelu Lukaku | 17/18 from Everton FC | Transfer fee: €84.7 million
© IMAGO
4 Jadon Sancho | 21/22 from BVB | Transfer fee: €85 million
© IMAGO
3 Harry Maguire | 19/20 by Leicester City | Transfer fee: €87 million
© TM/IMAGO
2 Antony | 22/23 from Ajax | Transfer fee: €95 million
© IMAGO
1 Paul Pogba | 16/17 by Juventus | Transfer fee: €105 million
© IMAGO
Since his transfer, the former Ajax talent has played 69 games, sat on the bench 47 times and missed 60 games due to injury. “It was a slow start to the season because he still had to recover from setbacks. But now he’s back and doing really well in training. So if you can’t give him any prospects, then I see that he has to play for his career,” said ten Hag, who currently has numerous midfielders ahead of van de Beek.
Van de Beek wants to play regularly: “Money is not my motivation”
Kobbie Mainoo, Sofyan Amrabat, Scott McTominay and the injured Casemiro, Mason Mount and Christian Eriksen are all ahead of van de Beek. As a result, there are many indications of the next loan for the former national player, who completed the second half of the 2022/23 season with mixed success as a loan player for Everton.
“I am ready to play games again, but the coach is making other decisions at the moment. We have a big squad and I’m not the only one knocking on the door. We’ll see what happens in January,” said van de Beek (quoted via “Mirror“) last. The central midfielder’s contract is dated until 2025 – since his move, his market value has fallen from 44 million euros to currently 10 million euros. “I am absolutely crazy about football. I earn good money at United, but money is not my motivation. I want to enjoy my work every day.”
To home page
ttn-38
