Man Utd's De Ligt transfer plans ruined by £120,000-a-week flop

Tom Weber

• Updated: 7 Aug 2024 20:01 BST
• 4 min read

Victor Lindelof is frustrating Manchester United's pursuit of Matthijs de Ligt, according to a report.

The Red Devils have already strengthened their backline with the €70 million signing of wonderkid Leny Yoro, but the plan was always to add a second high-profile centre-back this summer.

Yoro's foot injury, which will keep him sidelined for three months, has made the need to bring in another defender more pressing, though Erik ten Hag has insisted that their transfer plans have not changed despite a fresh wave of fitness issues.

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Matthijs de Ligt is the man who has been chosen as Man Utd's second centre-back signing, but talks with Bayern Munich have proved difficult. A joint bid for the Dutchman and teammate Noussair Mazraoui was launched last week but swiftly rejected by the Germans.

Bayern want at least €50m for the former Ajax star, while also demanding €15m-€25m for Mazraoui. To be able to afford both, Man Utd need to sell first. While the Mazraoui saga is on the verge of being resolved with Aaron Wan-Bissaka in advanced talks with West Ham, the De Ligt situation threatens to drag on for some time.

Lindelof won't unlock De Ligt deal

According to The Telegraph, this is due to Victor Lindelof. The Swede, who is out of contract next year, has been earmarked as the defender to make way for De Ligt, but he has no intention of leaving his lucrative contract prematurely.

It is claimed that the 30-year-old is intent on seeing out his deal, with potential suitors showing themselves unwilling and unable to pay his hefty £120,000-a-week wages.

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Man Utd want to secure a fee for Lindelof, who has been hit and miss since his €35m arrival at Old Trafford in 2017. However, despite tentative interest from Turkey and Italy, no concrete offers have as yet materialised, which casts doubt on the Red Devils' ability to sign De Ligt this summer.

Former Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho is reportedly keen on reuniting with Lindelof at Fenerbahce, but the Turkish giants have already shattered their transfer record with the signing of Youssef En-Nesyri while also spending fees on six other players, so they might not be in a position to afford the Swede.

With Man Utd once again enduring an injury crisis, Lindelof will fancy his chances to still get significant minutes next season despite slipping down the pecking order.