Manchester United midfielder considering return to former club in summer?

When the Netherlands international departed Ajax for Old Trafford for £35m in September 2020, the expectation was that he would command a regular place in the starting lineup.

Van de Beek has previously starred in an Ajax side that came agonisingly close to reaching a Champions League final, as well as contributing 41 goals and 34 assists from 175 appearances.

However, the move has proven to be a disaster for all parties, Van de Beek remarkably making just six Premier League starts for United during that time.

In 62 appearances in total, Van de Beek has two goals and two assists to his name, leading to a brief loan stint to Everton in 2022 and a similar such switch to Eintracht Frankfurt at the turn of the year.

Van de Beek enduring disappointing Frankfurt spell

Positives will be taken from Van de Beek accumulating 344 minutes across seven Bundesliga matches for Frankfurt, far more than he would have collected at United.

Nevertheless, the 26-year-old has not started a game since February and has only featured off the substitutes' bench three times in the last seven games.

As a result, there is no realistic chance of Frankfurt activating the €11m (£9.4m) buy option that they have previously agreed with United.

With Van de Beek having just over a year remaining on his contract, it leaves United scrambling to generate a fee for the player in the summer.

According to a report on Fichajes, Ajax have emerged as a potential destination for one of their former stars.

Ajax enduring one of most testing spells in their history

Ajax are nearing the end of one of their worst campaigns in recent memory, with fourth spot and qualifying for next season's Europe their current best-case scenario, albeit unlikely.

John van't Schip is expected to depart his role as interim boss and a rebuild will take place under a different head coach from 2024-25 onwards.

Acquiring some experienced names could be the way to go for the Dutch side, with the majority of their squad 26 years of age or younger.

Van de Beek could also benefit from returning to familiar territory in a bid to kick-start his career, initially at club level but with an international revival also in mind.

Realistically, Ajax will be able to re-sign Van de Beek for a fraction of the £35m that they have previously recouped for Van de Beek.