Everton have entered the race to sign Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek as the transfer window rapidly approaches Monday night's deadline.

What's the story?

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Toffees have joined Crystal Palace in attempting to lure the 24-year-old to Goodison Park before the window slams shut.

Romano tweeted: "Excl: while Crystal Palace are progressing in talks with United since Wednesday, Everton have now entered in the race to sign van de Beek. #EFC Lampard’s set to sign and wants Everton to try for Donny. Crystal Palace will push again to get the deal done. Two clubs race now."

Everton look set to appoint former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard as their new manager after Rafael Benitez was sacked just under two weeks ago, and the Dutchman could be the 43-year-old's first signing at Goodison Park.

According to Sky Sports, Dennis Bergkamp - father of Van de Beek's girlfriend Estelle - contacted Crystal Palace manager and former Arsenal team-mate Patrick Vieira about the midfielder's availability. However, Lampard will look to hijack the 24-year-old's proposed move to south London and bring him to Merseyside instead.

Van de Beek's predicament at Old Trafford has been well documented and it is expected that he will leave Manchester on loan.

Lampard would love Van de Beek

Although his time at United has been somewhat of a failure, starting just four Premier League matches since coming to England, there is no doubt that Van de Beek is still an impressive footballer who still has plenty of potential to improve even further.

Prior to his move to the Manchester giants in September 2020, the 24-year-old made 175 appearances for Dutch outfit Ajax having gone through the youth ranks at the Amsterdam club, scoring 41 goals and contributing 34 assists in that period.

He excelled for Ajax during their memorable 2018/19 season, with three goals in their run to the Champions League semi-finals and 31 goals contributions in total during that campaign, as per Transfermarkt.

The Toffees are in desperate need of quality, with the Merseyside club uncomfortably close to the relegation zone in 16th, just four points separating them and the dreaded bottom three.

Their midfield could also do with reinforcements, with Abdoulaye Doucoure, Allan and Andre Gomes currently their only available recognised midfielders. Lampard could duly love to have Van de Beek added to the mix if Everton can pip Palace to the post in the race for his signature before the January transfer window closes.

Meanwhile, Patrick Boyland has dropped another Everton transfer update...