Manchester United are reportedly ‘in pole position’ to sign Matthijs de Ligt ahead of Premier League rivals Arsenal after speaking to the Bayern Munich defender’s camp on a number of occasions.
With a new centre-half one of Manchester United’s top priorities going into the summer of 2024, Erik ten Hag could look to bring another familiar face to Old Trafford.
The Red Devils boss worked with Matthijs de Ligt at Ajax, making the Dutch international the club’s captain while still a teenager. De Ligt, alongside Frenkie de Jong, Donny van de Beek and co, was a huge part of that youthful Ajax side which came within a Lucas Moura hat-trick of reaching the Champions League final five years ago.
Manchester United in for Matthijs de Ligt
De Ligt’s career has been more Van de Beek than De Jong since then, however. Big-money moves to Juventus and then Bayern Munich have proven to be somewhat disappointing.
De Ligt even appears to be Bayern’s fourth-choice centre-half these days. Eric Dier, the January signing from Tottenham Hotspur, was chosen ahead of him for Saturday’s 3-0 hammering by title rivals Bayer Leverkusen, with Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-Jae also ahead of De Ligt in Thomas Tuchel’s pecking order.
His struggles in Germany have not dampened Ten Hag’s admiration, it seems.
Football Transfers report that United have spoken to the 24-year-old’s representatives on numerous occasions. Fellow suitors Arsenal, meanwhile, are yet to do the same.
Man United are allegedly in ‘pole position’ as things stand too, the 43-cap Netherlands international likely to be tempted by the idea of reuniting a coach he knows and admires.
Struggling at Bayern Munich
“News (about) Matthijs de Ligt,” Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg wrote on X back in January.
“Due to his character and attitude, he is very popular in the team and the club. However, the 24-year-old is not 100 per cent satisfied. (He is) not a regular starter under Tuchel when everyone is fit, and Bayern are pursuing (Barcelona’s Ronald) Araujo
“A summer move is not ruled out. If Ten Hag remains the coach, De Ligt and Man Utd could become a hot topic in summer! He’s on the list.”
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