Report: Lorient agree deal with Manchester United for Donny Van de Beek

DUBLIN, IRELAND: August 6: Donny van de Beek #34 of Manchester United during team warm-up before the Manchester United v Athletic Bilbao, pre-season friendly match at Aviva Stadium on August 6th, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
DUBLIN, IRELAND: August 6: Donny van de Beek #34 of Manchester United during team warm-up before the Manchester United v Athletic Bilbao, pre-season friendly match at Aviva Stadium on August 6th, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)

FC Lorient have agreed a deal to sign Manchester United midfielder Donny Van de Beek on loan, according to journalist Santi Aouna.

The Dutch midfielder has been widely expected to leave the club this summer, despite United’s shortage on available midfielders following injuries to Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo. Personal terms are yet to be agreed between the French club and Van de Beek, but they are now expected to take place.

Despite now playing under the manager that got the best out of him at AFC Ajax, Van de Beek has struggled to find his best football at Old Trafford.

Lorient finished 10th in Ligue 1 last season, and are currently 7th in the early stages of this season. In comparison to Real Sociedad’s interest earlier in the summer that never fully materialised, Lorient would be a downgrade but ensures that the midfielder gets plenty of playing time in a ‘top 5’ league. It is yet to see whether Donny is interested in the move, but he will have little thinking time ahead of Friday’s transfer deadline day.