Manchester United considers reuniting Erik ten Hag with Matthijs de Ligt to strengthen their defense.
Manchester United appears to have shut the door on the possibility of acquiring Matthijs de Ligt this summer, according to recent reports circulating in the football community.
Bayern Munich has officially placed the skilled centre-back on the market, a strategic decision aimed at raising funds for their ambitious summer transfer plans. The German club has triggered the €30 million release clause for Stuttgart defender Hiroki Ito and is actively pursuing Bayer Leverkusen star Jonathan Tah, indicating that reinforcing their defense is a major priority.
Bayern’s ambitions, however, stretch beyond just defensive improvements. To support their recruitment drive, the club has made de Ligt, along with five other prominent players, including Joshua Kimmich and Serge Gnabry, available for transfer. This move signifies a significant reshuffling within the squad under the new leadership of Vincent Kompany.
De Ligt’s journey in the past season has been notably eventful. Initially sidelined by former coach Thomas Tuchel, the Dutch defender gradually secured his spot in the starting lineup, demonstrating his considerable talent, especially after Tuchel’s departure. Amid this backdrop, speculation about de Ligt’s future has been rampant for several months.
Although clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United have been mentioned as potential destinations for de Ligt, it seems the Red Devils have decided not to pursue him. Despite de Ligt’s successful past under Erik ten Hag at Ajax, Manchester United’s decision is primarily driven by financial limitations.
According to Ben Jacobs, Manchester United’s hesitation to chase the 24-year-old star is largely due to the high cost involved in his transfer. While Bayern Munich acknowledges that they may not recoup their initial €67 million investment, they recognize de Ligt’s market value and expect a significant return.
Even with the financial boost from INEOS chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Manchester United is navigating the summer transfer window with limited financial flexibility. The substantial financial package required to secure de Ligt’s services is beyond the club’s current budget, making the move impractical.
As Bayern awaits solid offers for de Ligt, Vincent Kompany plans to have face-to-face discussions with the defender after his Euro 2024 commitments. This anticipation of direct dialogue highlights the cautious approach taken by interested clubs as they seek more clarity on the player’s availability and valuation before making definitive moves in the transfer market.
