Valencia are reportedly preparing to move for Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek during the January transfer window.
The 25-year-old has only played 19 minutes of football for the Red Devils this season across three games, although he has been unavailable for selection since the start of September due to a muscular problem.
Van de Beek is now back in first-team training and seemingly in contention for a return to the squad, with the Dutchman in line to feature against Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday night.
However, there is no obvious route into the team's starting XI at the moment, with Casemiro, Fred, Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen all above him in the pecking order.
Van de Beek returned to Old Trafford over the summer after an unsuccessful loan spell at Everton, and he has been reunited with Erik ten Hag, who he played under at Ajax.
© Reuters
Ten Hag recently insisted that the Dutchman would be given opportunities to impress for the Red Devils.
"He is now here for two-and-a-half years. He had pre-season, that was quite okay, then his chances will come," the club's head coach said earlier this month.
"When he came on against Brighton, he came on as a sub and did very well, but you have to be available and, when you are not available, you cannot get a place in the first XI. Now he has to make sure he gets fit and fights for his position."
However, there has been speculation surrounding his future, with Inter Milan and Leicester City among the clubs said to be keeping a close eye on his situation at Old Trafford.
According to TodoFichajes, there is also genuine interest from Valencia, with the Spanish club's head coach Gennaro Gattuso asking the board to sign two or three players in January.
© Reuters
The report claims that Los Che are likely to make a loan offer for the Dutchman, although his high salary will make a deal difficult unless Man United agree to cover part of his wages.
Van de Beek made the move to Old Trafford in August 2020 off the back of an impressive spell at Ajax, where he won the Eredivisie, Dutch Cup and reached the Europa League final.
However, the midfielder has found it difficult to make his mark for Man United, only contributing two goals and two assists in 53 appearances for the English giants in all competitions.
Van de Beek's last appearance came against Liverpool in the Premier League back in August, although he was an unused substitute against both Southampton and Leicester City before picking up his injury.
Man United will play another six matches before the campaign is halted for the 2022 World Cup, facing Sheriff, West Ham United, Real Sociedad, Aston Villa twice and Fulham.
Matt Law
