Manchester United are pushing to make their first transfers of the 2024 summer window having tied Erik ten Hag down to a new contract until 2026. It now appears that they might be getting closer to the potential signing of Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt.
Manchester United Target Matthijs de Ligt to Hold Exit Talks With Bayern Munich
What Are Bayern’s Plans With de Ligt?
Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has reported that the Dutch defender has planned to hold a meeting with the Bundesliga club’s officials after seeing his Netherlands side eliminated from the Euro 2024. It’s added that Bayern’s plans to sell the 24-year-old centre-back have not changed and that they are ready to move him on this summer.
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Plettenberg adds that Bayern are now “waiting for [the] next steps” from the Red Devils as there is still no agreement over a transfer between the two sides. United have not been able to agree on a transfer fee with the Bavarians, who are looking to replace de Ligt with Bayer Leverkusen star Jonathan Tah. This comes after it was reported that the Premier League heavyweights have agreed on personal terms with de Ligt. Bayern are demanding around £42 million to sell their defender.
Who Else are United Looking to Sign?
The Red Devils appear to be quite proactive in the summer market in terms of strengthening their squad before the new season begins. They are reportedly in talks to sign Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee to improve their frontline. Apart from de Ligt, they are also looking into other centre-back options.
United are said to have tabled an offer to sign Lille defender Leny Yoro. They are also reported to have made an offer to sign Everton youngster Jarrad Branthwaite recently, as the club looks to be on the lookout for multiple centre-backs. This comes after the Premier League giants conceded over 80 goals across all competitions last season and also saw veteran defender Raphael Varane leave in the summer.
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But they have a genuine interest in bringing in de Ligt who broke the records for becoming the youngest player to be Ajax captain. The self-styled ‘old-school defender’ was also the youngest captain to lead his side in a UEFA Champions League knockout match during his time with the Dutch side. He enjoyed some prolific years under ten Hag at Ajax, winning the 2018/19 Eredivisie title, and appears to be keen on reuniting with the Dutch gaffer at Old Trafford.
