Manchester United are close to reaching an agreement with Bayern Munich for centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, according to Fussball News.
The Red Devils are very confident of securing a deal for the Netherlands international who has already given the green light for a transfer to Old Trafford.
He has accepted a pay cut on his lavish £12.6 million per year salary and negotiations are now ongoing between the respective clubs.
De Ligt’s medical could be delayed due to his participation at the 2024 European Championship, but there is optimism from United’s end that a deal could be finalised by the end of the week.
Bayern are eyeing £42 million for the Dutchman’s exit, but United could propose a base price of £34m with the remaining to be paid in performance-related add-ons.
The Red Devils are set for a busy couple of weeks in the transfer market. They have already agreed terms with Joshua Zirkzee and are preparing to pay his £34m release clause.
The club have also made an opening transfer offer to sign Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte and have lodged a second proposal for Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite.
No official bid for De Ligt has been made. However, it is only a matter of time with De Ligt making it clear that he would like to move to Old Trafford.
It seems a no-brainer decision for him and United. De Ligt played his best football as a teenager at Ajax, where he was managed by Erik ten Hag for over two seasons.
The Dutchman is one of the best distributors in European football and would perfectly suit Ten Hag’s tactics, considering his familiarity with the style of play.
De Ligt has turned from a prodigy to a ‘full-blown superstar‘ according to the Bundesliga’s official website. He has the chance to take the next step with the Red Devils.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com.
