The transfer market is always a game of domino where no deal is done in a vacuum, which United got to know first-hand this season when they signed Joshua Zirkzee from under AC Milan’s noses.
If one deal happens, it facilitates the completion of another, and the same goes for a deal failing as well.
Manchester United are currently locked in negotiations with Bayern Munich for Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui.
A double bid for the De Ligt and Mazraoui has already been rejected which surprised United since Bayern have told the players they are expendable.
Now, Erik ten Hag might have received an unexpected ace in their hand to get a leg up in negotiations.
Man Utd’s ace in Matthis de Ligt’s transfer chase
Bayern Munich, despite not wanting to keep De Ligt, have so far been unwilling to budge on their demands for the player.
A similar stance is why United pivoted from Manuel Ugarte and moved to another target, even though Sander Berge’s style of play was slightly different.
However, a similar pivot is unlikely in the case of De Ligt as his age profile, familiarity with the manager, and accolades at the top level make him a unique market opportunity.
It’s why United are expected to return with another offer for the pair, including Mazraoui, but recent developments might have strengthened their hand.
Florian Plettenberg reports that Bayern and Bayer Leverkusen are yet to agree on terms of Jonathan Tah’s transfer.
It is a very ironic scenario. United wait on Aaron Wan-Bissaka to leave before signing Mazraoui, but Bayern themselves wait to sell De Ligt before signing Tah.
Tah only wants Bayern, De Ligt only wants United, so does Mazraoui. Thus, it becomes a game of poker where the player who blinks first gets fleeced.
United can strong-arm Bayern by sticking to their valuation, or only increasing it slightly as a symbolic second, improved bid.
Jittery feet from Bayern and desperation to land Tah might land United favorable terms on the double deal for De Ligt and Mazraoui.
A message to the market
By pivoting from Ugarte, Ineos have already started fixing two decades of Glazer mismanagement in the transfer market.
Getting rid of the United tax would probably be one of the first things on the agenda when Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co. took over and this is a big chance.
Many would argue that Bayern’s existing demands are already palatable considering the quality of the player, but negotiating hard is a hallmark of shrewd operators in the market, something which United haven’t been for far too long now.
The dominos have landed in their favour as the whole De Ligt-Tah situation has developed so just holding their nerve instead of giving in will be a great start.
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