Arsenal and Man Utd on red alert as Kompany axes Bayern superstar

Tom Weber

Updated: 7 Jun 2024 21:54 BST
3 min read

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, Erik ten Hag, Man Utd — © IMAGO

Bayern Munich have put Matthijs de Ligt up for sale, according to German media.

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The past six months have been a rollercoaster for the Dutch international. Initially not favoured by then-Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel, De Ligt informed the German giants in the winter that he would consider his options in the summer unless things improved.

This attracted the attention of Arsenal and Man Utd, with both clubs keen to bolster their defensive ranks this year. However, once Tuchel was informed in February that he would not be Bayern coach beyond 2023/24, he began using De Ligt more to the point where the 24-year-old assured the media that he had no intention of leaving Bayern.

Now, there has been another twist in the tale. According to Sky Germany, Bayern need to raise funds for incomings and have officially made six high-profile players available for transfer.

De Ligt to be sold

It is claimed that the Bavarians have reignited their interest in Fulham's Joao Palhinha and already have a verbal agreement with the player from last year when a transfer collapsed at the 11th hour on Deadline Day.

The Portuguese midfielder isn't the only player new coach Vincent Kompany and directors Max Eberl and Christoph Freund want to sign, however. Therefore, players need to be sold and it is asserted that De Ligt, Joshua Kimmich, Kingsley Coman, Noussair Mazraoui, Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry are all for sale.

That doesn't mean that Bayern will force them out of the club, but they are willing to let go of them at the right price. The news of De Ligt being available comes as a shock as it was previously thought that, once Tuchel was gone, the Dutchman would become an undisputed key player for Bayern.

Just two years ago, the Bavarians shelled out €67 million to land the Dutchman and De Ligt looked very solid when given the chance to show off his talents last term. It is too early to tell whether Arsenal and Man Utd will reignite their interest, but his situation will be one to watch over the next few weeks.