Everton are reportedly still keen to secure a deal for wantaway Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek.

What's the story?

The Toffees were strongly linked with a move for the 24-year-old over the summer, with the player himself confirming that contact had been made between the two parties, but a transfer never materialised.

Since then, Van de Beek's struggles at Old Trafford have continued, and his playing time under current manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has remained extremely limited.

And now, well-known journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the Dutch international wants to leave the Red Devils in January after becoming increasingly frustrated at his lack of action.

“In the summer, they had a chance to sell him with Everton keen on deadline day," Romano told The United Stand (as relayed by the Liverpool ECHO).

"Things can change, but as of now, he is planning to leave Manchester United in January. Van de Beek is a fantastic player and a top professional.

“It is true that Italian and Spanish clubs are interested, and it depends whether Man United can agree on the conditions with them. He could also move to the Premier League, with Everton one of the clubs interested.

“Donny wants to play, so if he is not playing in two-three months, he will leave, I am sure,” he concluded.

Everton fans will be buzzing

After securing a domestic double with boyhood club Ajax and playing a pivotal part in their run to the Champions League semi-finals, Van de Beek's arrived on English soil with an enviable reputation.

However, things have not worked out for him at United. The technically gifted maestro has started just four Premier League games since arriving for £40m in September 2020 and has received just six minutes of league action this term.

His peripheral role in Solskjaer's first-team squad has led to speculation regarding a potential imminent exit, while Everton's director of football Marcel Brands has now come out and confirmed the Toffees previous interest in the player.

When asked about Van de Beek in a recent interview with NOS (as relayed by the Manchester Evening News) he said: "We had him on our list.

"At the beginning of the transfer window, we inquired at United, then it was impossible. At the end of the window, I received a call from Guido Albers, his agent, that he might be rented out after all. But at the last minute, it was cancelled. Stopped again."

But reliable reporter Romano claims the Goodison Park outfit remain keen to secure Van de Beek's signature, and that will surely leave a large section of the club's supporters buzzing.

He scored 41 goals and provided a further 34 assists in 175 appearances for Ajax before his current woes at United, illustrating that if he can get back to his best form, Van de Beek would be a valuable asset to Rafael Benitez's setup on Merseyside.

After losing James Rodriguez too, it only adds to the appeal of signing the Dutchman. Everton fans would surely love to see a player of his calibre at Goodison Park.

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