Everton have agreed a loan deal with Manchester United for Crystal Palace target Donny van de Beek, reputed journalist Fabrizio Romano reports.
The Dutchman has been tipped to leave on loan before Monday’s transfer deadline. It initially seemed that he was set to join Palace.
However, the Toffees are looking to hijack the deal with incoming manager Frank Lampard urging them to sign the 24-year-old.
They have now agreed a loan move with United for the former Ajax man while meeting his full salary of around £120,000-a-week.
The decision now rests on the shoulders on Van de Beek. The Dutchman will choose between Palace and the Toffees in the coming hours.
Van de Beek was the subject of a loan approach from the Toffees last summer, but then-boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer blocked the proposed move.
The Netherlands international was promised regular minutes, but that has hardly been the case despite the change of head coach recently.
United are reluctant to include a buy clause in any loan deal. The next permanent manager will decide his future in the summer.
Van de Beek will be assured regular first-team football by both Palace and Toffees, and he has a big decision to make before tomorrow’s deadline.
Under Lampard, he could play in the number 10 position. It could bring the best out of him in terms of creativity and goal scoring contributions.
On the contrary, he could operate in a more deeper number eight role under Patrick Vieira at Palace. It could be more beneficial for him.
It is quite clear that Bruno Fernandes remains an undisputed starter in the attacking midfield position. Van de Beek may not displace him.
His future could lie at the heart of the midfield for United if he is handed a second opportunity under the next permanent head coach.
I prefer him going to palace, for he will play as no. 8 which is best for him at utd when he returns, because Bruno is good at no. 10 which he will have to play in at the toffees