60,000 fans sign De Ligt PETITION as Man Utd move edges closer

Cameron Smith

Updated: 8 Jul 2024 10:46 BST
3 min read

Matthijs de Ligt, Erik ten Hag, Manchester United — © IMAGO/FootballTransfers

Nearly 60,000 Bayern Munich fans have reportedly signed a petition urging the club to keep Matthijs de Ligt amid his impending move to Manchester United.

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De Ligt, 24, has agreed to join Man Utd following talks with Erik ten Hag and the Red Devils are hoping to finalise a deal by the end of this week.

Man Utd are expected to pay roughly €50 million for the Netherlands international, who is yet to play a minute of action at Euro 2024.

De Ligt only joined Bayern from Juventus back in 2022, but he is set to extend his record as the world’s most expensive defender, in regards to cumulative transfer fees, when he moves to Old Trafford.

However, Bayern fans are hoping to block the transfer.

Sky Germany have reported that close to 60,000 Bavarian fans have signed a petition to keep De Ligt in an attempt to ensure the Dutchman stays at the Allianz Arena this summer.

This is unlikely to stop De Ligt’s exit, however, with Man Utd determined to purchase the Dutchman.

What has been said?

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Man Utd are in advanced talks with Bayern regarding a move for De Ligt.

“Contact between Manchester United and Bayern continues over Matthijs de Ligt,” he affirmed.

© IMAGO - Matthijs de Ligt and partner Annekee Molenaar

“Bayern want to sign Jonathan Tah and are confident of signing him, and Man Utd keep discussing the structure of the deal over De Ligt. They want to include add ons in the package, so they’re formulating the best proposal possible.

“They already have the green light of the player. Matthijs de Ligt wants to go to Man Utd.

“The reports about PSG… the intention of De Ligt is very clear: it’s Man Utd, it’s the Premier League, it’s Erik ten Hag, who is a manager who will finally trust him after many difficult years for a fantastic defender. Contact is ongoing between the clubs.”