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3 months ago
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Let’s go back to 2019. Matthijs de Ligt is coming off a monstrous season with Ajax Amsterdam, including an extraordinary run to the semi-finals of the Champions League. Among this team made up of young talents like Frenkie de Jong, Donny van de Beek and Hakim Ziyech, the native of Leiderdorp is establishing himself as one of the leaders of his team, on and off the pitch. Courted by the biggest European clubs, the Dutchman signed with Juventus in the summer of 2019, for 85 million euros. Three years later, he decided to leave Turin, due to a style of play that he considered “too defensive”, and to join Bayern for 67 million euros.
But in Bavaria, he faces competition from Lucas Hernández, who has since left for PSG, Dayot Upamecano, Kim-min Jae and even Eric Dier. Not always a starter, the Dutch international (45 caps) is not satisfied with his situation. Faced with this, an exit door opens to him. And a coach he knows very well is pushing to get him back: Erik ten Hag, the man who had revealed him a few years earlier at Ajax. Affected by the multiple injuries of Lisandro Martínez, the departure of Raphaël Varane and the very average performances of Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans, the 54-year-old coach wants to attract his former protégé to United.
A transfer estimated at 45 million euros including bonuses
De Ligt quickly gave his agreement to join the Red Devils. But Bayern and Man Utd need to agree on a transfer fee. And, ultimately, the common ground between the two clubs is around a transfer of 40 million euros, with five million in bonuses. After 73 games played and a Bundesliga title won (2023), Matthijs de Ligt officially leaves Bayern Munich and becomes a Manchester United player.
With this third summer signing at United (after Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro), Matthijs de Ligt has the opportunity to get back on track, under the orders of a coach he knows very well. As for Ten Hag, he is strengthening his defensive sector, which has been criticized since his arrival at the club. The 25-year-old defender will now have to quickly meet the expectations of his new club and the physical challenges imposed by the Premier League. This will start this Friday, with the reception of Fulham, at Old Trafford.
Written by:
Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team.
 
 As an author for the website, Manu's expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers.
 
 When he's not crafting engaging articles for French Football Weekly, Manu enjoys attending live matches whenever he can, exploring football culture in various French cities, and engaging in spirited debates with fellow fans. Feel free to follow Manu on Twitter and interact with him as he shares his expert opinions, insights, and love for French football.
