MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly launched a formal approach for Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt.
Erik ten Hag is keen to add another centre-back having already signed Leny Yoro for £52million from Lille.
And Bild’s Christian Falk reports that Old Trafford chiefs have had an initial offer worth £29.5m rejected.
Bayern are reportedly holding out for £42m plus add-ons.
The Bundesliga outfit are believed to need to sell players to fund their own summer spend and talks are continuing between the clubs.
Ten Hag introduced De Ligt, 24, to first-team action while they were at Ajax together.
The pair maintain a good relationship and De Ligt fits the profile of ball-playing centre-back United are keen on.
Bayern president Uli Hoeness has opened the door to an exit.
He toild German media at the weekend: “It’s possible that a defender will leave.
“De Ligt is Dutch, the coach at Manchester United is Dutch… I would have no problem if he stays. Personally, I would not sell [Dayot] Upamecano.”
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New signing Yoro has got off to a flier since joining United.
Fans took to social media to praise him after a clip of the 18-year-old playing a brilliant pass went viral.
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And Yoro was also hailed for a brilliant last-ditch tackle in a 2-0 friendly win over Rangers.
Defensive midfield is another area Ten Hag is keen to improve in with Paris Saint-Germain and Uruguay playmaker Manuel Ugarte a top target.
The Red Devils have also strengthened up top with the arrival of Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee.
Despite the strong Netherlands connections in United’s summer business, Ten Hag claims it is Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the board who picked their targets.
He told Dutch outlet AD: “It remains to be seen whether Matthijs de Ligt will come, I know him well.
“I wanted to sign him two years ago but at that time, he was already very far along to join Bayern. Believe it or not, his name did not come from me in the process.
“During my vacation I was three or four weeks out of the process. During that period it was really the club, the newly equipped scouting and recruitment department, that brought in these players.
“The fact that there are also Dutch people among them is in fact a coincidence. Primarily, these were players who were proposed from our organisation. But of course I support it, let that be clear. And we still make the choice together.”
ERIK TEN HAG appears to be safe as Man Utd manager, but the Dutchman edged dangerously close to the sack.
Here are nine managers Red Devils chiefs are reported to have considered for the job and what allegedly happened with each.
Gareth Southgate
Enjoys plenty of support among Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos chiefs but made clear he wouldn’t talk to any clubs until after Euro 2024. There is yet to be any suggestion that contact was made with the England boss.
Kieran McKenna
Talks were opened with McKenna’s representatives before the FA Cup final, but the former Man Utd coach opted to sign a new deal with Ipswich after Ten Hag’s Wembley win.
Roberto De Zerbi
Allegedly sounded out before the FA Cup final with salary expectations discussed. But Ineos chiefs concluded ex-Brighton boss was not the right fit for the project.
Thomas Frank
Brentford boss met Man Utd representatives the day before the FA Cup final. The Dane also dined with Ratcliffe, Roy Hodgson and Frank Lampard at the launch of a new Ineos car in February.
Marco Silva
Fulham boss reportedly met Man Utd representatives face-to-face two days before the FA Cup final, around the same time as Ten Hag was conducting his press conference.
Mauricio Pochettino
Fell out of Man Utd’s thinking in the first week of June, despite being a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Thomas Tuchel
Made a very strong impression and came across well during a Monaco meeting. Personal terms were discussed before the ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss decided to step back from the process.
Ruben Amorim
Sporting boss was discussed by the Man Utd hierarchy but did not make the final reckoning.
Roberto Martinez
Portugal manager was considered in the early stages.
Sir David Brailsford turned up at Ten Hag’s Ibiza holiday home to tell him that new part-owner Ratcliffe wanted to keep him on.
But if he was expecting a man grateful for another chance, he was very wrong.
In fact, Ten Hag laid down the law with Brailsford, Ratcliffe’s right-hand man, and other members of the United hierarchy during a four-hour meeting.
Ten Hag revealed: “I gave my vision of the season, on the situation at United. And I indicated which path we should take.
“You have to be very honest with each other about that. And then it’s about: Do you come together or not?
“I also told them, ‘If you think this is not the way, then we should just part ways’.”
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Jadon Sancho is nearing an exit from Manchester United, with PSG reportedly agreeing a blockbuster move despite his return to the fold.
Elsewhere, West Ham are reportedly interested in a shock summer move for N’Golo Kante.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori and SunSport can also exclusively reveal they have made a new offer for Wolves’ goalkeeper Dan Bentley.
And Napoli have agreed personal terms with Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, with the star set for a dramatic pay cut according to reports.
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