The need for Manchester United to further strengthen the team has been laid bare during pre-season due to a barrage of injuries.
After Rasmus Hojlund and Leny Yoro suffered issues vs Arsenal, Erik ten Hag gave further injury updates on five players after the Liverpool game.
The center of defence has been the area hit hardest by injuries, with Yoro joined by Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof, and Harry Maguire as players whose condition needs to be managed carefully.
Enter Matthijs de Ligt, the chase for whom looked to have been put on the backburner but it now in focus again.
Max Eberl on Matthijs de Ligt
Man United recently made a double bid for De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui as the pair have been told they are expendable by the club.
The bid was rejected but the discussions continue and there is confidence that a conclusion will arrive that suits all parties.
As the talks remain ongoing, Bayern Munich’s sporting director has broken his silence on the potential move for the first time.
Florian Plettenberg of Sky reports the move is “imminent”, with Eberl saying: “I will comment on it (the reasons for the upcoming move to Man United) when the time comes. It is not the time yet. Matthijs has played very well here for two years, and that’s why many fans like him.
“Nevertheless, you have to think about how you make decisions and also how the boy feels. He is still a player of FC Bayern. And as long as he is, he will get all our support.”
Unpacking Eberl’s comments
As expected, Eberl seems to hint that it is a matter of when, and not if, De Ligt moves to Old Trafford this summer. However, the qualifier he adds of “now is not the time yet” fortifies Bayern’s stance that they will stick to their asking price.
United were reportedly bemused that their double bid was rejected since Bayern have no use for either player but the Bavarians are determined to squeeze more out of United.
Eberl’s comments also hint that De Ligt has made his priorities clear that he wants a move, saying they also have to think about “how the boy feels”.
It all comes down to the terms of the transfer between the clubs as the agreement with the player is already in place.
United are determined to not be taken advantage of as their injury crisis at center-back alerts rivals to potential opportunities.
Whether they are going to blink first and pay up, or the pressure on Bayern ramps up as the transfer window edged towards completion is the game of poker happening right now.
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