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Matthijs de Ligt has told friends he wants to join Manchester United as “soon as possible” as Bayern Munich refuse to compromise on the price for their central defender.
De Ligt, 24, has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer as the club seeks to overhaul Erik ten hag’s defensive unit, following a season in which it was decimated with injuries.
All four of Ten Hag’s senior centre-backs – Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof – were ruled out for varying parts of the season, forcing the Dutchman to field thirty-two different backline combinations throughout the year.
As such, central defence was identified as a position of priority going into the summer transfer window. This need was made even more acute by the departures of Varane, who left on a free transfer, and 19-year-old Willy Kambwala, who joined Villarreal in a deal worth £9.6 million.
United put plans in place to sign not one but two central defenders with a sensational swoop for LOSC Lille centre-back, Leny Yoro, securing the 18-year-old starlet’s services, ahead of the club’s European rivals.
Multiple bids were also tabled for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite. However, the Merseyside club held firm in their valuation of the 21-year-old – believed to be in excess of £70 million – and United’s interest cooled as that price was unworkable.
Instead, the Red Devils turned their attention to De Ligt, who established himself as one of the most highly-regarded youngsters in Europe while at Ajax under Ten Hag. The Dutch international would win the Golden Boy award under Ten Hag’s watch with the 54-year-old coach making De Ligt his captain when the centre-back was just 17.
De Ligt moved from Ajax to Juventus in a big-money move but, owing to a variety of reasons beyond his control, the move was not as successful as both parties would have wanted. He then swapped Italy for Germany with Bayern agreeing a deal worth a potential €80 million to sign the 24-year-old from the Old Lady.
De Ligt established himself as a key part of the Bavarian side’s defence in his debut season, being selected to the Bundesliga Team of the Year for the 2022/23 season. However, last season was less successful for the Dutch international as he missed twelve games through injury, and was not the constant starter he had been the previous year.
Bayern endured one of their worst campaigns in recent memory as Bayer Leverkusen swept to an unbeaten Bundesliga title and they crashed out of all their respective cup competitions. Thomas Tuchel left the club at the end of the season, to be replaced by Vincent Kompany.
Officials at the Allianz Arena informed De Ligt at the beginning of the summer they would be seeking to sell him as the club sought to generate significant income to fund an overhaul of Kompany’s squad. The 24-year-old defender was likely to be their most pricey departure and a fee of at least €50 million was set.
United made contact with Bayern over a deal and quickly agreed personal terms with De Ligt, who was reportedly extremely keen for a reunion with Ten Hag at Old Trafford. Negotiations have progressed since this point, and a bid was made earlier this month, but there has been no breakthrough on a deal with the German club.
However, a report by Football Insider now reveals De Ligt has informed his friends he wants the move to Old Trafford to be completed as quickly as possible, believing the Red Devils to be the “ideal next step in his career”. The article contends De Ligt has the “intention” to ensure the transfer is “done this month”, with just under four weeks left of the summer window.
In a report relayed by The Peoples Person this morning, Fabrizio Romano revealed United are “increasingly confident” they will sign the Dutch defender, with a new bid likely in the coming days.
The fact United officials are able to negotiate with their German counterparts knowing the player they’re pursuing is giving his “total priority” to a move to Old Trafford will greatly strengthen their hand in these talks.
Expect a compromise to be reached soon; it’s De Ligt’s “intention” after all.
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