Real Madrid Could Sign Manchester United's 'Frustrated' $47M Star As Luka Modric's Replacement: Reports

Real Madrid are reportedly planning to sign Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek in January.

Due to Van de Beek's lack of game time, Real Madrid are expecting to secure the Dutchman at a much lower price, reported Spanish publication Fichajes.

Everton and Newcastle are also interested in Van de Beek but the Premier League clubs are looking for a loan deal for the young midfielder at the moment ahead of the winter market, according to ESPN.

Manchester United signed Van de Beek from Ajax for $47 million in the summer of 2020. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer barely rotates Bruno Fernandes in the No. 10 position and as a result, Van de Beek has made only 41 competitive appearances for the Red Devils so far. Van de Beek spent only 154 minutes on the field for Manchester United in the 2021-22 campaign, which includes only 16 minutes of play in the Premier League.

The major lack of game time has worsened Van de Beek's situation as he has also lost his place in the Netherlands national team.

Despite his less game time, Van de Beek has quite a few clubs chasing him, especially Real Madrid, who were one of the favorites to sign the midfielder last year. However, the pandemic had an adverse effect on the Santiago Bernabeu side and the Red Devils took advantage of the same and swooped in to sign Van de Beek on a five-year deal.

Los Blancos are now seeing Van de Beek as an ideal replacement for Luka Modric, who is nearing the end of his decorated career. Moreover, Toni Kroos is well into his thirties and could start getting phased out in a couple of years.

Real Madrid signed teenage sensation Eduardo Camavinga from Rennes at the 2021 summer window. By securing Van de Beek to partner with Camavinga in the middle, Los Blancos could begin a smooth transition to the next generation of midfielders.

It was previously reported that Van de Beek was close to moving to Everton on loan ahead of the 2021-22 season but the move was blocked by Solskjaer.

"I spoke with the manager about it (the interest from Everton) and the club. They were clear they wanted me to stay here. The manager was really positive about me and he said: 'I need you and I want to keep you here.' Of course, what I see here now in the beginning of the season is difficult, because I didn't play one minute, but he said; 'What I see every day in training, I see a different Donny now,'" the former Ajax midfielder had said in an interview.

With the Premier League set to resume after the international break this weekend, Manchester United will travel to Hertfordshire to take on Watford. The Red Devils are placed sixth in the 2021-22 Premier League table, nine points behind leaders Chelsea.