Highjacking peoples transfer target won’t help their current situation,at first they forced Madrid target to join them,now they’re about forcing my top target to join them again.. but I will revenge in the community shield final”, Man city Pep Guardiola says He will revenge Man united stubbornness for highjacking His top summer transfer target
Pep Guardiola has expressed his frustration with Manchester United for interfering with his transfer plans, highlighting their pursuit of his top summer target. Guardiola, who previously saw Manchester United lure a target away from Real Madrid, vows to seek revenge during the Community Shield final.
In a related development, Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Manchester United are keen on securing Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt this summer. The Red Devils have shown a strong interest in Dutch players since Ten Hag’s arrival, with their first summer signing being Joshua Zirkzee, a Netherlands international.
Speaking to AD Sportwereld, Ten Hag addressed the speculation around De Ligt: “It’s uncertain if De Ligt will join us. I’ve known Matthijs for a long time and I won’t deny our interest. I attempted to sign him two years ago, but he was already set to join Bayern Munich. The decision to target him now was made collectively, not solely by me. We aim to evaluate players based on their abilities, character, and fit within our team, regardless of nationality.”
Ten Hag further emphasized that media criticism and public perception do not influence their transfer decisions. He reiterated that the club’s objective is to assemble the best possible squad through collaborative decision-making.
If successful, De Ligt would bolster United’s defense significantly. Ten Hag’s preference for Dutch players is evident, as seen in previous signings such as Tyrell Malacia and the loan spell of Wout Weghorst. United’s persistent efforts to sign Frenkie de Jong further underscore this trend. Additionally, the inclusion of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake in the coaching staff reflects Ten Hag’s strategy of building a strong Dutch influence at the club.
Ten Hag insists that the decision to pursue De Ligt was not forced upon the club, but he acknowledges the substantial benefits the Netherlands defender would bring to their backline. Valued at £55 million, De Ligt is renowned for his defensive prowess and tactical acumen, having first risen to prominence under Ten Hag at Ajax before moving to Juventus in 2019.
Manchester United have recently made headlines with the acquisition of young talent Leny Yoro. However, to fund De Ligt’s transfer, the club may need to sell players, with Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire being potential candidates for departure. Offloading these players would not only generate necessary funds but also clear space in the squad for De Ligt’s arrival.
In summary, while Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola is gearing up for a showdown over transfer disputes, Manchester United continues to strategically build their squad, with a particular focus on integrating Dutch talent under Erik ten Hag’s leadership.
