Manchester United Top Prospect 'Waiting' For Barcelona To Make An Offer, Report Says

Manchester United prospect Donny van de Beek is waiting for Barcelona to make a formal bid for his possible transfer despite being heavily linked to the Premier League club, a report said.

Along with planning for a future without Lionel Messi, Blaugrana is busy with its major rebuilding, though it is linked to more departures than arrivals at this point. Newly appointed Barca coach Ronald Koeman is firm on offloading players not included in his project, and this may have opened up a path for some prospects, including Van de Beek, to consider moving to Camp Nou.

Despite being chased by Real Madrid, and recently Man United, Van de Beek is “willing to wait” for Barcelona to make a concrete offer for him, Sport reported.

The midfield star has told his agent to “put any potential deal on hold” as he waits for Koeman's side to make a formal bid, the report said. Koeman is said to be an admirer of Van de Beek and is positive that he could be a key player in his plans for the club.

Barcelona had already tried to sign Van de Beek last summer.

The Ajax star is well aware that closing a deal with Barcelona would be a complicated process given the club’s current situation. However, Van de Beek is still keen on joining the Catalans.

Ajax has refused to compromise Van de Beek’s price tag of €55 million ($65 million), a figure Barcelona would be able to match once the club completes a number of departures, including Messi's.

However, another one of Van de Beek's suitors, United, may have an advantage in the race for the Dutch midfielder. Prior to his link-up with the Catalan club, reports said the 23-year-old was open to offers from Premier League clubs before starting a new campaign.

Ajax chief executive Edwin van der Sar confirmed in May that Van de Beek would be allowed to leave for a suitable fee despite the midfielder being happy at his club.

The Red Devils, on the other hand, are still searching for a playmaker to pair with their top prospect, Jadon Sancho. Van de Beek and the Borussia Dortmund star are perceived to make a great team-up for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as United is said to be keen on bolstering its attacking department.