Manchester City sister-club set to sign Manchester United midfielder in cut-price transfer deal

Manchester City sister-club Girona are expected to complete the signing of Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek.

The 27-year-old is set to leave Old Trafford four years after completing a £39 million transfer from Ajax to Manchester United, where the Dutch midfielder made just 62 appearances and scored two goals.

Van de Beek’s dismal campaign at Manchester United included recent loans spells at Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga, and time at fellow Premier League side Everton, where the player made just seven appearances.

The midfielder is set to complete a permanent exit from Manchester United this summer, with Manchester City sister-club Girona expected to complete the signing of the Dutchman ahead of the 2024/25 campaign next month.

The La Liga side, who will compete in the Champions League alongside Manchester City next season after approval from UEFA, are one of 13 clubs within the City Football Group model.

Manchester City’s owners have total or partial ownership in a further dozen clubs across major cities globally, including New York, Melbourne, Yokohama and Mumbai.

Girona FC were acquired by the City Football Group in 2017, and secured a third place finish in La Liga last season, finishing ahead of Atletico Madrid and just behind heavyweight pair Real Madrid and Barcelona.

The Catalan club have agreed an initial €500,000 deal with Manchester United to sign Van de Beek, with the 27-year-old signing a contract until 2028 at the Estadi Montilivi, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The deal could however rise to €15 million, with the achievable add-ons reportedly taking the deal to between €4 million and €5 million.

Girona and Manchester City have been blocked from completing transfer business this summer, although Savio is still expected to complete a move to the Etihad Stadium despite spending the recent 2023/24 campaign with Michel’s side.

The Brazilian is owned by fellow CFG club Troyes in France, allowing Manchester City to complete the signing of the 20-year-old ahead of the new campaign.