‘Formal discussions’ underway as United put the wheels in motion on a deal for ‘top priority’ target

Manchester United and Bayern Munich are now in ‘formal discussions’ over a deal for Matthijs de Ligt, as per The Athletic.

The Old Trafford faithful have been taken aback at how quickly United are moving in the market this summer, which can only be credited to INEOS and the new figures appointed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Their pursuit of De Ligt has turned from brief murmurs to concrete interest over the weekend, with trusted Dutch reporter Mike Verweij revealing this morning that the centre-half is now considered a ‘top priority’ for the Red Devils.

Such claims have since been further backed up by The Athletic, who’ve only further confirmed that both clubs are now locked in negotiations and trying to hash out the terms of a potential transfer.

Read more: Rasmus Hojlund has just given his verdict on United’s priority target after being cheekily put on the spot

Ten Hag eyes yet another ex-Ajax star

When news broke regarding INEOS’ decision to stick with Erik ten Hag long-term, it reportedly came with the premise that he take a backseat on transfer dealings from now on. Instead, those matters would be left to the likes of newly-appointed technical director Jason Wilcox.

However, the club’s links with De Ligt have Ten Hag written all over them. It’s no secret that he prefers to work with players he’s already coached in some form; Antony and Lisandro Martinez followed him almost straight to Old Trafford when his Ajax tenure ended, while Andre Onana made the move the following summer.

Now, he would be reuniting with a former protegee who captained his side to the Champions League semi-finals and a domestic double at just 19 years old.