De Ligt Set to Reunite with Ten Hag at Manchester United
Manchester United are on the brink of securing a major defensive signing as Matthijs de Ligt looks set to join the club from Bayern Munich. The Dutch international has been a long-term target for United and will now reunite with former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag.
According to The Athletic, De Ligt has agreed to a five-year contract with the option of an additional year. The 24-year-old defender impressed during Ajax’s UEFA Champions League run in 2018/19 under Ten Hag, and the manager is keen to bolster his defensive options.
He made 22 Bundesliga appearances under former manager Thomas Tuchel last season and was an unused substitute for the Netherlands during Euro 2024.
De Ligt’s form in the Eredivisie led to a move to Juventus in 2019, where he won the Serie A title along with the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana before moving to Bayern in 2022.
He is now set to become United’s third senior signing of the summer transfer window following deals for defender Lena Yoro and Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee.
The Red Devils have previously pursued a move for Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, but the Toffees have knocked back two bids and United’s swoop for De Ligt is highly unlikely this summer.
Manchester United will be well stocked at center-back following De Ligt’s arrival. Yoro impressed in pre-season before suffering a leg injury that will rule him out for several months, while Lisandro Martinez is back with the squad after winning the Copa America 2024 with Argentina. Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, and Jonny Evans are also on the books.
The Premier League giants remain interested in De Ligt’s Bayern team-mate Noussair Mazraoui and there could be another move soon as Aaron Wan-Bissaka is reportedly closing in on a move to West Ham United.
Bayern Munich have accepted an offer of €15m plus €5m in add-ons, although this is dependent on Wan-Bissaka agreeing to leave Old Trafford.
