Anderlecht 'turned down chance to sign Donny van de Beek'

Anderlecht reportedly turned down the chance to sign Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek during the summer transfer window.

The 26-year-old was heavily linked with a move away from the Red Devils during the recent market, with Real Sociedad, Ajax and Lorient among the clubs said to be interested.

Van de Beek had also been linked with a move to Turkey, with both Fenerbahce and Galatasaray believed to have expressed a desire to sign him.

However, the Turkish transfer window has now closed, eliminating another potential option for the Netherlands international, with Man United keen to move him on.

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The Qatar transfer window is still open, and teams from their top division are thought to be considering making an offer before the September 18 deadline.

However, the fact that Van de Beek has been included in Man United's 25-man Premier League squad suggests that he will be staying at Old Trafford until at least January.

The Dutchman has not been included in the team's Champions League squad, though, so he will not be available for next week's group-stage opener with Bayern Munich.

Van de Beek has not been involved in a matchday squad for Man United this season, with the midfielder down the pecking order at Old Trafford.

The former Ajax youngster has found it difficult to make his mark since arriving at Old Trafford in September 2020, only managing two goals and two assists in 60 appearances.

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According to LDH, Anderlecht were contacted over the summer, with Van de Beek's agent offering the club the chance to sign his client.

However, the Belgian outfit turned down the opportunity, signalling that they would instead be focusing on other targets during the summer market.

Anderlecht are 34-time Belgian First Division champions, but they have not won the title since the 2016-17 campaign and finished down in 11th position in the table last season.

Van de Beek missed the second half of last season with a serious knee injury, but he returned to action during Man United's preparations for the 2023-24 campaign.