Matthijs de Ligt Eager for Manchester United Transfer
Bayern Munich’s standout defender Matthijs de Ligt is reportedly keen on a move to Manchester United this summer. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, De Ligt’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, is in negotiations with United, with the Dutch defender prepared to reduce his salary to facilitate the transfer.
Key Negotiations Underway
Romano indicates that Manchester United is fully aware of De Ligt’s significant salary at Bayern. However, De Ligt is determined to reunite with Erik ten Hag, his former manager, and is not expected to let salary demands hinder the move. GIVEMESPORT reports that De Ligt will make a final decision after Euro 2024, where he played a crucial role in the Netherlands reaching the quarter-finals.
United’s Defensive Strategy
De Ligt is currently Manchester United’s primary target for the center-back position. The Red Devils have also been linked with Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Nice’s Jean Clair-Todibo, but Ten Hag is pushing hard for De Ligt, especially after Raphael Varane’s departure on a free transfer. De Ligt is seen as a potential partner for Lisandro Martinez, who had an injury-plagued season but was instrumental in United’s FA Cup victory over Manchester City.
Contract and Salary Discussions
In his Daily Briefing, Romano confirmed that De Ligt’s agent is actively negotiating personal terms with Manchester United. “De Ligt’s agent Rafaela Pimenta is working on this deal. She is negotiating with Manchester United, and I can guarantee that the contract is not going to be a problem,” Romano stated. “Man United know De Ligt is on a big salary at Bayern, but also that he’s keen on the move and won’t create an issue there.”
Bayern Munich’s Stance
Bayern Munich appears open to selling De Ligt due to concerns over his injury history. The 24-year-old played just 22 Bundesliga matches last season. Bayern, under new manager Vincent Kompany, is planning a significant overhaul of their squad, with several major players, including De Ligt, potentially on their way out. Other notable names rumored to be leaving include Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry, Leon Goretzka, Joshua Kimmich, and Noussair Mazraoui.
Manchester United’s Transfer Plans
The potential addition of De Ligt would mark the first signing in the INEOS era for Manchester United. The club is looking to strengthen in several key areas and is reportedly in advanced talks for Bologna attacker Joshua Zirkzee as well.
De Ligt’s Impressive Stats
In the 2023-24 Bundesliga season, De Ligt’s performance was noteworthy despite his limited appearances. He played 22 games, scored 2 goals, maintained a pass completion rate of 93.9%, won 2.65 aerials per 90 minutes, and lost only 0.32 challenges per 90 minutes. These stats underscore his potential value to Manchester United’s defensive lineup.
As the summer transfer window heats up, the football world watches closely to see if Manchester United can secure this high-profile signing and bolster their squad for the upcoming season.