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Manchester United are “really confident” of signing Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt with negotiations ongoing between the two clubs, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Italian transfer guru reveals Old Trafford officials have been locked in talks with their Bayern counterparts as they seek to strike a compromise to sign the Dutch international. Romano contends the German club want “€50 million guaranteed” to sign their defender.
De Ligt, 24, rose to fame at Ajax under the tutelage of current United boss, Erik ten Hag, who made the centre-back his captain at the age of just 17. He would go on to be awarded the prestigious Golden Boy trophy – an award recognising the best player under the age of 21 in Europe – during this period.
United want to buttress Ten Hag’s defensive unit following a dismal season for the club and have settled on the Dutchman’s former pupil as a key target to do so.
The Red Devils conceded 58 goals in the Premier League (while only scoring 57 themselves) and crashed out of the Champions League in embarrassing fashion, with no other side conceding more goals. They also failed in their efforts to defend the Carabao Cup through a chastening 0-3 defeat to Newcastle at Old Trafford in a reversal of the previous season’s success at Wembley.
An incessant injury crisis in defence was a major part of these struggles with Ten Hag forced to field “32 different backlines” throughout the season.
For one match – the away trip to West Ham – all four of the Dutchman’s senior centre-backs (Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof) were ruled out. Predictably, United would fall to a 2-0 defeat.
In light of these struggles, the club prioritised central defence as an area for significant recruitment. Plans were established to sign not one but two centre-backs with Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton) and Leny Yoro (LOSC Lille) emerging as the frontrunners.
A sensational deal for the 18-year-old Yoro was struck, stealing the French starlet from the under the noses of Real Madrid. By comparison, however, United could not convince Everton to yield on their excessive demands for Branthwaite and their pursuit failed, despite two separate offers for the 21-year-old Englishman.
A change in tac was quickly established following resistance from Merseyside and Old Trafford officials targeted De Ligt after learning that a cheaper-than-expected deal may be able to be struck, given Bayern’s willingness to sell.
The Red Devils have agreed personal terms with De Ligt, who has signalled his intention to Bayern that he only wants United, with Romano revealing he is “waiting” to move to Manchester and will not consider any other offers.
As such, the club will be using De Ligt’s desire to try and leverage Bayern into accepting a reduced price but, so far, the German side have held steadfast in their valuation of €50 million for the 24-year-old.
There is a growing sense that a compromise will soon be reached, however, as Romano contends it is “expected [De Ligt] will join Man United this summer”, with Old Trafford officials communicating their confidence a deal will be struck to the defender’s representatives.
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