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Manchester United have submitted an “opening double offer” to sign Bayern Munich pair Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, according to David Ornstein.
Reporting for The Athletic, Ornstein reveals United officials have tabled a “joint bid” for the former Ajax players with “optimism” at Old Trafford, and amongst the pair’s representatives, it would be accepted. However, the report states the “proposal was rejected” by Bayern Munich with negotiations continuing to find a compromise.
Ornstein reveals the German club have informed their English counterparts a “higher fee” is required to sanction the joint move, much to the surprise of the camp of De Ligt and Mazraoui – both defenders are represented by the same agent, Rafaela Pimenta.
Ornstein contends Pimenta and his team are “bemused” by Bayern’s decision based on their “understanding of what it would require to get a deal over the line.”
At the beginning of the summer, officials at the Allianz Arena had informed both De Ligt and Mazraoui they were surplus to requirements as the club sought to generate funds for a comprehensive overhaul of the squad following a disappointing season.
Bayern insisted they would facilitate the transfers and be willing to “compromise to help the process” along.
United’s pursuit of the pair has, so far, been rebuffed with an ardent unwillingness in Bavaria to make a concession on their valuations of both defenders.
This, according to Ornstein, has led Pimenta’s team to ask “whether [Bayern’s] stance on the centre-back and full-back had changed”. The same message at the beginning of the summer was repeated, however.
United have been locked in negotiations for both defenders with “personal terms already in place” for five-year deals, with the option of an additional twelve months – standard contractual practice for the club.
The need for another centre-back, in addition to Leny Yoro, was already established at Old Trafford, but the news of the 18-year-old defender’s metatarsal injury, requiring three months of rehabilitation, has ramped up the pressure to sign one.
De Ligt, despite only being 24, is an experienced defender who has won multiple trophies at the biggest clubs in Europe. He is well-versed in Erik ten Hag’s tactical system, having been the Dutch manager’s captain during their successful period together at Ajax.
Similarly, Mazraoui is also well-known to Ten Hag having been a part of the same team in Amsterdam as De Ligt. The Moroccan international is much-more technically gifted than Aaron Wan-Bissaka – the defender potentially making way for Mazraoui by moving to West Ham – and is also capable of playing at left-back, as he has done on many occasions for his country.
If a double bid can be agreed with Bayern, as Ornstein reveals “talks continue” over a deal, it will constitute a significant boost to Ten Hag’s squad with the new season just around the corner.
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