Manchester United receive boost in race to sign Bayern Munich defender

Matthijs de Ligt will consider his future at the end of the season.

The Netherlands international is reportedly open to leaving Bayern Munich this summer with Manchester United reigniting their interest in defender.

De Ligt was one of Erik ten Hag’s best players at Ajax. As a young centre-back, he led from a back as Ajax reached the Champions League semi-final in 2019. The sky was the limit for the Dutchman before he joined Juventus later that year.

Having worked under Ten Hag, De Ligt spoke highly of the United boss in June, saying (via All Football): “He is someone who loves his job and he loves to work. He’s really into the details. This makes him a really good trainer. He has a lot of qualities [to succeed]. We will have to see how he goes. He definitely improves players. He wants to do everything to make his team play better.”

It is understood that Ten Hag was keen to sign the centre-back following his arrival at United in 2022, but De Ligt joined Bayern Munich instead. The Reds are back in the market for centre-backs and it may present an opportunity for the defender to reunite with Ten Hag.

Reports now suggest the 24-year-old is not happy with his current role at Bayern and will consider a move away at the end of the season. De Ligt has started just four matches this season and is third choice behind Dayot Upamecano and Kim min-Jae. Furthermore, the Bundesliga champions are being linked with a move for Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo.

According to Sky Germany, De Ligt will be allowed to leave the club this summer should a suitable bid be submitted.

De Ligt has another three-and-a-half years left on his contract.

United could rid get rid of at least two centre-backs in the summer. Raphael Varane faces an uncertain future and Harry Maguire may move on to get regular football elsewhere. The English centre-back has played more football than he would have imagined this season, although I still have a feeling he will be moved on in six months.

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