---
title: "Everton: Alex McLeish makes Donny van de Beek claim"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/everton-alex-mcleish-makes-donny-van-de-beek-claim/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Everton"
published: "2022-02-17T17:35:01Z"
modified: "2022-02-17T17:35:01Z"
---

# Everton: Alex McLeish makes Donny van de Beek claim

**Pundit Alex McLeish believes Everton could be leading the way to sign Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek on a permanent basis, [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/everton-transfer-news-lampard-in-pole-position-to-sign-man-united-star-van-de-beek/) report.**

### The Lowdown: Impressive first start

Van de Beek made the move to Goodison Park from Old Trafford for the second half of the season late in the January window.

\[freshpress-poll id=”388390″\]

The Toffees [pipped](https://theathletic.com/news/manchester-uniteds-donny-van-de-beek-decides-to-join-everton-on-loan/DYzeZkafXoIs/) Crystal Palace to the Dutch midfielder’s services and the 24-year-old starred on his first start under Frank Lampard last weekend.

Michael Ball labelled his display against Leeds as [‘perfect’](https://www.goodisonnews.com/2022/02/15/michael-ball-hails-perfect-donny-van-de-beek-everton-performance/), whereas Lampard has shown his own love for the player, revealing Van de Beek has been a [dream](https://www.unitedinfocus.com/news/frank-lampard-says-donny-van-de-beek-has-been-a-dream-to-work-with/) to work with since arriving on Merseyside.

### The Latest: McLeish’s comments

Talking to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/everton-transfer-news-lampard-in-pole-position-to-sign-man-united-star-van-de-beek/), McLeish, who contributes for [BBC Radio 5 Live](https://icdb.tv/stats/1454/Alex-McLeish), believes the Toffees could now be in ‘pole position’ ahead of a summer move.

> “There’s no doubt there’ll be a lot of clubs (interested).
>
> “If Man United have signed him in the first place then he’s obviously a player of great pedigree.
>
> “A lot of clubs would have wanted him in the first place. They will be looking on with interest, keeping an eye on his situation.
>
> “Of course, Everton might be in pole position.”

### The Verdict: Likely?

The next few months could well be key in regards to Van de Beek’s long-term future, and you wouldn’t bet against a full-time move to Everton materialising.

He has played just [579](https://theathletic.com/news/manchester-uniteds-donny-van-de-beek-decides-to-join-everton-on-loan/DYzeZkafXoIs/) minutes of Premier League football over two seasons for United, so if he becomes a regular under Lampard and helps steer the Toffees away from the relegation zone, all parties may well be willing to discuss a permanent transfer at the end of the season.

However, Van de Beek is under contract with the Red Devils until [2025](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/donny-van-de-beek/profil/spieler/288255), is on [£120,000-a-week](https://www.spotrac.com/epl/manchester-united-fc/donny-van-de-beek-50108/) and cost United over [£35m](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/donny-van-de-beek/transfers/spieler/288255) back in 2020, meaning a permanent move could be costly for Everton.

***In other news: [Blow for Lampard as another Everton player reveals he is out for 3 months alongside Mina.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/everton-fc-news/everton-tom-davies-out-until-next-season/)***