Manchester United have been in discussions with Bayern Munich center-back Matthijs de Ligt’s representatives, according to reports.
The Red Devils are banking on strengthening Erik ten Hag’s backline after Raphael Varane exited on a free transfer, and the Old Trafford club are now strongly linked with Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo.
De Ligt’s name has also been swirling around amid an uncertain future at Bayern, with the Dutchman being in and out of the side under former manager Thomas Tuchel and is obviously not expected to be pleased with his standing in the Bundesliga.
It’s reported that United have baulked at the prospect of signing De Ligt, with the finances of the deal looking unfavorable, according to 90min. However, due to Everton refusing to budge on their £70m valuation of Branthwaite, despite PSR concerns, and Todibo being frustratingly unattainable because of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ownership of Nice, a rethink is quickly needed as Ten Hag looks to take United forward after their worst-ever Premier League finish.
United have already begun to engage in talks with De Ligt’s camp over moving to Old Trafford, according to multiple sources, and the 24-year-old is reportedly interested in the move even though Champions League football is off the table next season.
However, although scant compensation, United will compete in the Europa League, courtesy of the qualification they achieved through winning the FA Cup, and not due to their dismal eighth-place Premier League finish.
De Ligt has already been transferred twice for extraordinary amounts of money after having graduated from Ajax’s famed academy, with Italian giants Juventus snapping him up on a five-year deal in 2019, paying the Dutch giants close to €75m, and three years later he cost Bayern north of €77m.
United would likely have to fork out a significant sum of money to persuade Bayern to sell, as the Bavarian giants are prepared to do a deal if the offer is appealing. However the ever-shrewd Sir Jim Ratclifee is unlikely to pay over the odds though, given they have other areas of the squad that the Manchester club wants to strengthen.