- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
HITC understands that Manchester United have progressed with their plans to sign Matthijs de Ligt following talks over the weekend.
The Bayern Munich centre-back is currently at Euro 2024 with the Netherlands, but he is yet to play a single minute for Ronald Koeman’s side, who take on Romania in the last 16 on Tuesday.
Matthijs de Ligt suffered the same issues on the domestic stage during the recently concluded campaign because he only completed 90 minutes on 11 occasions in the Bundesliga under the now-departed Thomas Tuchel.
As HITC confirmed last week, de Ligt has made it clear to Bayern that he wants to leave this summer, the German giants are in agreement and their belief is that a parting of the ways is the best for all parties.
Matthijs de Ligt has spoken to Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag
Sources confirm that de Ligt has spoken to Erik ten Hag this summer on numerous occasions, as it emerged that the 24-year-old was set to become available – Bayern are pursuing other central defensive options, with Bayer Leverkusen’s ‘complete defender’ Jonathan Tah their number one target.
Ten Hag and de Ligt are very close from their time together at Ajax, during which time he was made club captain despite being a teenager, then he secured a transfer to Juventus before moving to Munich in 2022.
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HITC understands that ten Hag has delivered his recommendations to the club’s new footballing department on potential summer targets.
Mainly his thoughts on the positions they needed to strengthen, but also a handful of names they should look at closely – one of which was de Ligt.
De Ligt, though, was already on their list of CB options – but it would be determined by Bayern’s stance, which has now been confirmed.
Manchester United want to bring in two centre-backs this summer
HITC can confirm that United have held opening talks with Bayern officials to ascertain the sort of deal it would take to land him.
As we previously confirmed, a loan deal would be considered, but only if that had clauses that resulted in a permanent deal next year and it is also believed the player would only agree to a loan knowing a permanent deal was in place.
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One issue for United is the size of the contract they would need to agree with de Ligt long-term as he does earn substantial wages at Bayern. United can clearly afford them, but that would heighten their need to move the likes of Casemiro, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof and their sizeable contracts.
HITC understands United’s plan is still to bring in two central defenders this summer – and have already made bids for Jarrad Branthwaite and Jean-Clair Todibo, both of which have stalled for different reasons.
United will not meet Everton’s asking price for Branthwaite, whilst the club’s hierarchy are still pursuing Todibo – whose initial move from Nice has been blocked by Uefa rules.
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