Man Utd plan another Ten Hag transfer reunion

Stuart Telford

• 1 Oct 2023 09:06 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United plan to bolster their defence with the signing of Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, according to a report.

United's need for a new centre-back is clear, with Lisandro Martinez injured and Harry Maguire out of favour, and Fabrizio Romano recently outlined a shortlist which was topped by Nice youngster Jean-Clair Todibo.

United spent the bulk of their £120 million summer budget on a goalkeeper, midfielder and striker respectively in signing Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund, but a defensive reinforcement never left their agenda.

READ: Fabrizio Romano reveals Man Utd's next big signing

But now an opportunity has arisen with De Ligt, with Erik ten Hag's former Ajax protégé effectively being frozen out at Bayern Munich, with Kim Min-Jae and Dayot Upamecano preferred while the club ready Jerome Boateng's surprise return.

De Ligt of interest

"Manchester United are looking to strengthen the defence. Ten Hag needs a player he can trust and that could be his former player in Matthijs De Ligt," reports Todo Fichajes' Eloy Rodríguez Hurtado de Mendoza.

"The player is under contract until 2027, so a fee would be required. His asking price would be around €80 million, whilst players could be used in part exchange."

READ: Ajax's 10 biggest sales of all time

Ten Hag has shown a real proclivity to work with former players, and United currently have four of his one-time Ajax charges on the books in Onana, Antony, Lisandro and Donny van de Beek.

Who might be used in part-exchange isn't speculated in the report, but Scott McTominay was linked with Bayern in the summer before the club tried, and failed, to sign Joao Palhinha from Fulham.

United's need for a centre-back could be yet more pronounced if Victor Lindelof leaves on a free to Juventus at the end of the season, as has been speculated by Italian media. The club still want to offload Maguire after he turned down a move to West Ham in the summer.