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Phil HaighPublished Jul 21, 2024, 3:52pm|Updated Jul 21, 2024, 3:53pm
Bayern Munich’s honorary president Uli Hoeness talked up the possibility of Matthijs de Ligt moving to Manchester United this summer, hinting at a reunion with Erik ten Hag for the Dutchman.
The Red Devils have already brought in a centre-back this summer, confirming the arrival of Leny Yoro from Lille in a £52m deal earlier this week.
Manchester United are still in the market for another defender, though, and have been heavily linked with a move for De Ligt, who Ten Hag worked with at Ajax.
The 24-year-old begun his career with the Dutch giants and was managed by Ten Hag before leaving for Juventus in 2019.
Hoeness says it is a possibility that Bayern will sell a defender during this transfer window and hinted that it could well be De Ligt moving to Old Trafford, although he did say he is not looking to force the Netherlands international out of the club.
‘It’s possible that a defender will leave,’ Hoeness said, via Sky. ‘De Ligt is Dutch, the coach at Manchester United is Dutch.
‘I would have no problem if he stays. Personally, I would not sell [Dayot] Upamecano.’
Ten Hag has also been open about Manchester United’s pursuit of De Ligt, saying he was keen to bring him to the club two years ago, but it was not actually him who pushed for the move this time around.
‘It remains to be seen whether De Ligt will come,’ Ten Hag told AD Sportwereld.
‘I know Matthijs well and I will not deny that. I wanted to sign him two years ago but at that time he was already very far along to join Bayern Munich but believe it or not, his name did not come from me in the process [at United].’
It is shaping up to be a busy and significant summer in the transfer market for the Red Devils, with Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee already arriving at Old Trafford, while Mason Greenwood, Donny van de Beek and Willy Kambwala have been sold and the likes of Raphael Varane, Anthony Martial and Brandon Williams have been released.
United have had two bids turned down for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite and are working on a deal for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte.
The Red Devils have also been linked with snapping up free agent Adrien Rabiot after the France international left Juventus at the end of his contract.
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