Manchester United are in talks with Bayern Munich over a possible transfer for Matthijs de Ligt.
The Athletic first revealed United’s interest on June 28 and the Premier League side have now opened formal discussions with the German club.
De Ligt, a 24-year-old central defender, has been on United’s radar ever since coming through the youth system at Ajax before he joined Juventus in 2019. The Netherlands international spent three years in Italy before joining Bayern and made 30 appearances for the Bundesliga side last season.
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United’s interest is matched by that of Erik ten Hag, their manager, who coached De Ligt at Ajax and is keen on bringing the Netherlands international to Old Trafford.
De Ligt is under contract at Bayern until 2027 but a potential fee is likely to be more realistic than other options such as Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite. United offered £35million plus £8m in add-ons for Branthwaite, which remains on the table despite Everton’s unwillingness to sell for lower than their £70m asking price.
Although the pursuit of De Ligt is independent to their move for Branthwaite, the Dutchman is viewed as an increasingly viable candidate to strengthen United’s back line.
United are weighing up several defensive options, but Jean-Clair Tobido cannot be recruited from Nice, and Real Madrid are in pole position to sign Lille’s Leny Yoro.
Whether United can sign one or two new players in central defence will depend on departures, as they are needed to generate finances and free up squad space.
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Matthijs de Ligt has time on his side to fulfil his prodigious talent
Why United want De Ligt
One of United’s main priorities in the summer transfer window is to strengthen Ten Hag’s back line.
Raphael Varane has left the club after it was decided not to renew his contract, meaning United are a centre-back down.
Lisandro Martinez missed sizeable chunks of last season through injury, while Harry Maguire also spent time out of the team due to his own fitness issues and did not make the England squad for the ongoing European Championship.
Ten Hag had to turn to Willy Kambwala, a 19-year-old academy graduate, to fill the void, with Victor Lindelof also sidelined during the campaign.
The injuries at the back plagued United’s 2023-24 campaign and they do not want to be in a similar position next season.
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Six former Man Utd players on the one issue Ten Hag needs to fix
(Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
