Arsenal fans' hopes of signing Donny van de Beek may have been dashed with the Netherlands international on course for a reunion with Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.
Last summer amid Mikel Arteta and Gunners technical director Edu's plan to bolster the central midfield department, there were links to the Dutchman after he endured a frustrating debut season in English football with the Red Devils and was reportedly seeking an exit in order to secure regular first-team football.
However, with Arsenal opting to recruit Albert Sambi Lokonga from Anderlecht as well as sealing a permanent deal for Martin Odegaard, talk of signing Van de Beek went quiet and he ultimately ended up staying put in Manchester for the first half of the campaign.
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And prior to joining Everton on loan in January, some Gunners fans made it clear on social media that the 25-year-old would be the 'perfect' signing to complete Arteta's midfield. If the Spaniard and Edu had any plans to revisit this deal in the summer, they may have to be shelved for good following a major Man United announcement on Thursday morning.
"Manchester United is delighted to announce the appointment of Erik ten Hag as Men's First Team Manager, subject to work visa requirements, from the end of this season until June 2025, with the option to extend for a further year," a statement via the club's official website reads.
Given how Van de Beek rose to prominence under Ten Hag at Ajax, this appointment is likely to be fantastic news for the midfielder as there's a good chance he will be able to resurrect his Man United career and recent reports suggest he is not part of the planned departures this summer.
In fact, as per the Mirror, he is expected to play a pivotal role for United moving forward and previous comments from Ten Hag would appear to back those claims up.
"Take Donny. I find that hard, a mortal sin," Ten Hag told De Volkskrant last year when discussing young players leaving Ajax. "If you haven’t had a chance yet, then development will also stall. Everyone understands that as a top athlete you want to push your limits. If you don’t have that mentality, then you don’t belong here. But when are you going to do that and at which club? What is your motivation? I try to get that thought process going."
These comments suggest Van de Beek will be handed a lifeline by Ten Hag to turn his Man United career around next season. As a result, it seems highly unlikely that those Arsenal fans dreaming of the Dutchman arriving at the Emirates Stadium will be granted their wish this summer.
