What Matthijs de Ligt is willing to do for Man Utd move speaks volumes for Erik ten Hag

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Now Joshua Zirkzee is done, Manchester United have all the focus on signing Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich.

Ineos has managed to secure signing number one of the summer, as Joshua Zirkzee completes his medical, but already the focus is back on Matthijs de Ligt.

Manchester United seem steadfast on De Ligt being one of the centre-back additions this summer and it appears the Dutchman is also keen on the idea.

Reuniting with his former manager Erik ten Hag will be one reason but also the exciting project which is United run by Ineos. Now, his desire to join has been shown as he is willing to do one thing.

• READ: The shaping of Matthijs De Ligt, the Golden Boy winner who had to play down Franz Beckenbauer comparisons

Matthijs de Ligt will take pay-cut for Manchester United

Signing De Ligt is a move which is pretty high risk, high reward for United but if anyone can extract his world-class potential, it’ll be Ten Hag.

But now journalist, Ben Jacobs has revealed that De Ligt is so keen on joining the Red Devils that he’d actually be willing to take a pay cut.

He tweeted: “Talks progressing between United and Bayern and are described as positive by sources. If a fee is agreed, De Ligt will reduce his wage as part of United’s incentive-driven structure.”

Continuing, Jacobs added that if United do qualify for the Champions League next season then it could see his wage rise again toward the £258k-per-week he is on at the moment.

Hopefully, there are some stipulations in there such as minimum games played or along those lines to protect United against the possibility that De Ligt flops.

• READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25

De Ligt taking a wage cut says a lot about Erik ten Hag

For De Ligt to take a pay cut to join United says a tonne about his desire to make the move, and Ten Hag is likely the driving force behind this.

De Ligt will know he played the best football of his career under Ten Hag and he has that close relationship with him which will leave the Dutch defender confident this move is the best for him.

Now, we expect the deal will be done within a week and then he must repay Ten Hag’s faith with performances.

Partnered with Lisandro Martinez, Ten Hag could finally have a partnership he can be delighted with. No excuses for next season, but it’s hard to imagine this coming season won’t be much better than last season.