A deal is taking shape for Netherlands star Matthijs de Ligt to join Manchester United from Bayern Munich.
The former Ajax and Juventus defender was a target for the Reds before he left Amsterdam for Turin. Despite going on to join the biggest club in Germany, most would argue his career has gone backwards.
But at 24, De Ligt has time to turn that around. Fabrizio Romano believes he could leave Bayern for United’s new project, even if that means no Champions League football next season.
According to Fussball.news, De Ligt is willing to take a salary cut to join United this summer, which indicates that this is not a player looking to move for a higher pay cheque.
De Ligt earns around €15m-per-year at Bayern – but United are looking to keep the gross salary below one million euros per month.
United have been guilty of signing the wrong players for multiple reasons, and De Ligt is one trying to hit the heights he previously reached under Ten Hag at Ajax. We’d love to see him join and be successful because it would be a fantastic story.
However, we cannot forget he struggled at Juventus before failing to cement his place in the Bayern team. There will be reasons for that but the world will be watching if he signs for United this summer.
The report adds that De Ligt won’t make a final decision until after the European Championship. Talks between his advisor and Bayern Munich are taking place in the background which could speed up the process for when he is no longer on international duty.
Ten Hag is said to be pushing hard to sign De Ligt. Let’s hope he isn’t left with an egg on his face after being left empty-handed following the Frenkie de Jong chase two years ago.
United entered the ring with a proposal worth €40 million, while Bayern initially demanded well over €50 million. Any deal is likely to include bonuses, though.
With Bayern open to a sale and Jarrad Branthwaite being priced out of a transfer, I can only see this De Ligt story heading one way and that is with him holding a United shirt later this summer.
Only time will tell.
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I’ll be the most happiest person if united can round up the deal for Deligt, Zirkzee and Ugarte.
And if they can keep Greenwood in the team or try to get Xavi Simon as well… Next season will definitely be hot…
I don’t want to be heart broken. Man UTD just mentions targets but rarely effects buying. Imagine other clubs are buddy buying and my club is doing nothing!!