Donny van de Beek urged to join Koeman at FC Barcelona

Joining Ronald Koeman at FC Barcelona would be a ‘smart move’ for Donny van de Beek instead of signing elsewhere, says Steve Nicol.

Van de Beek’s future has been under intense speculation over the past year following his starring role in Ajax’s run to the Champions League semi-finals in 2018/19.

But while Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt bagged big-money moves to FC Barcelona and Juventus respectively afterward, Van de Beek remained. He instead became Ajax’s main man in yet another impressive campaign.

The 23-year-old’s contribution of eight goals and five assists made up 21% of Ajax’s 68 goals before the 2019/20 Eredivisie season was unexpectedly canceled.

Now it’s a matter of what next for Van de Beek? Ajax are resigned to losing him, but probably won’t allow him to go on the cheap. Considering Hakim Ziyech’s recent departure for Chelsea, though, the young Dutchman will be determined to follow this summer.

Reports have frequently linked him with a move to Manchester United and Real Madrid. However, Ronald Koeman’s recent appointment as Barcelona manager could swing things drastically.

The former Netherlands boss knows Van de Beek very well and may target him as part of his revolution at Camp Nou. And Nicol is completely on board with the idea.

“I think it would be great for both him and Barcelona. I think he could go into that middle three, [Arturo] Vidal is past his best,” the Liverpool great told ESPN.

“Van De Beek can play better passes than Vidal anyway. I think he can get in the box and would score more goals than Vidal.

“Yeah, this sounds like a smart move for both player and club.”