Manchester United are pushing hard to sign a top center back – or two – in the summer 2024 transfer window, as this is the position the Red Devils are most keen to overhaul.
After going for Everton standout Jarrad Branthwaite, Manchester United have decided it is not worth it to spend upwards of 70 million euros on just one defender.
It looks like Manchester United are looking to sign two starting-caliber players for the combined price of one Branthwaite, and a recent market opportunity has intrigued them.
Bayern Munich are overhauling their squad and may be having a firesale, with young center back Matthijs de Ligt surprisingly a part of that.
De Ligt has fallen out of favor in the building at Bayern, with new manager Vincent Kompany, a former Manchester City center back, not seeing the Dutchman as part of his plans.
According to a report from Fabrizio Romano, as of right now, Manchester United are the only organization with the “green light” from De Ligt to begin transfer talks.
Although PSG have recently been linked with a move for the 24-year-old center back, Romano reports that there are no talks between the player and the Ligue 1 giants because Man United have the priority in transfer talks.
Already, Manchester United are negotiating with Bayern Munich regarding the final transfer fee and the structure of the payment for the deal.
Because of how much preference De Ligt is giving Manchester United, to the point where he is willing to take a reduced salary to move to Old Trafford, it looks like the Red Devils have this transfer in the bag.
Barring a sudden turn of events, De Ligt looks destined to move to Manchester United. He seems to have no interest in entertaining offers elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Man United have the need and likely value De Ligt highly. He is an established player who has been a quality starter for Juventus and Bayern Munich.
Furthermore, there is the Ajax connection, as De Ligt was one of the best young players in the world for Ajax in 2018/19 when they reached the Champions League semifinals.
Erik ten Hag is a former Ajax manager who has already brought multiple players from the club to Manchester United, including starting center back Lisandro Martinez.
It looks like Man United could build a starting center back partnership of Martinez and De Ligt going forward for the next handful of years.
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