How ex-Liverpool star could provide breakthrough for Man Utd's De Ligt transfer

Suraj Radia

• 4 Aug 2024 20:00 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United could be boosted in their pursuit of Matthijs de Ligt, with the catalyst to a transfer potentially underway as Bayern Munich pursue a replacement for the defender.

De Ligt has been a target for United all summer and Erik ten Hag’s side have seen offers rejected by Bayern for the 24-year-old and right-back Noussair Mazraoui.

The interest in De Ligt was thought to have cooled after the signing of Leny Yoro but the 18-year-old has since been ruled out for up to four months with injury, prompting United to consider a fresh move for the Dutchman.

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However, Bayern themselves have been dealing with injuries in defence after seeing new defender Hiroki Ito suffer a metatarsal injury, meaning De Ligt could be relied on to start the season.

Part of Bayern’s reluctance to budge on their asking price is also due to their failure to so far sign a replacement, having had multiple bids for Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah rejected.

But a deal for Tah could provide the breakthrough to United’s pursuit of De Ligt, with Leverkusen turning their attention to ex-Liverpool defender Joel Matip as a replacement.

The merry-go-round leading to De Ligt

According to Sky Sport Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Leverkusen have held ‘very positive talks’ with Matip, who is a free agent after leaving Liverpool this summer.

While a full verbal agreement has yet to be struck, Matip is said to be one of the top targets if Tah was to leave the club, although the 32-year-old is understood to have multiple offers available to him.

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Tah is entering the final 12 months of his contract and the 28-year-old has informed Leverkusen he has no desire to renew and only wishes to join Bayern, prompting the Bundesliga champions to consider lowering their €35 million asking price.

Bayern’s offer of €25m is thought to still be on the table and, should that deal progress, it could allow United to accelerate a move for De Ligt.

It is thought that Bayern would want €70m for both De Ligt and Mazraoui and, with personal terms for the pair already agreed, United could realistically have both players through the door by the end of the month.