Report: Manchester United initiates contact with Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt
Report: Manchester United initiates contact with Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt
A litany of reports are all pointing in the same direction — Manchester United is seriously considering an acquisition of Bayern Munich center-back Matthijs de Ligt.
De Ligt, who has been widely-regarded as Bayern Munich’s best defender over his two seasons with the club, has suddenly found himself persona non grata in Bavaria because of his hefty salary and head coach Vincent Kompany’s — alleged — preference to work with other central defenders instead of the Dutchman.
David Ornstein of The Athletic (as captured by @iMiaSanMia) initiated the reporting on Friday:
Manchester United are seriously considering a move to sign Matthijs de Ligt. No club-to-club talks yet and no certainty the move will happen, but the Dutchman is an increasingly viable option for United.
De Ligt is under contract at Bayern until 2027 but the cost of a potential transfer is likely to be more realistic than other options such as Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton are reluctant to sell lower than their asking price of around £70m) .
By Saturday, Sky Sport journalists Kerry Hau and Florian Plettenberg and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano also released information:
We’ve been told that Manchester United have opened talks about Matthijs de Ligt on player‘s side now!
Understand that #MUFC have gathered more information about the 24 y/o in recent days as he can leave Bayern with a suitable offer as revealed.
De Ligt, ready to leave Bayern and open to join ManUtd as he will not become the central defender No. 4 or 5. Still no contact between the clubs yet.
Romano added more detail as well:
Manchester United made contact with Matthijs de Ligt’s camp as he’s one of the options being considered as new CB — including Branthwaite.
De Ligt, open to joining United even with no UCL football.
Bayern could sell de Ligt this summer, up to Man United decision.
Clearly, things are progressing and Bayern Munich could be at risk of losing one of its best overall players from the past two seasons.
Does this kind of move make the team better? Tell us in the comments...
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