According to a report from Manchester Evening News, Manchester United have been linked with an interest in defender Matthijs De Ligt. The 24-year-old, who previously played under Erik ten Hag during his time at Ajax, made a move from Juventus to Bayern Munich last summer.
However, there are rumors of a potential transfer once more, with United reportedly showing interest. It was mentioned in the report that Spanish publication Fichajes have stated that a substantial fee of €80 million is being mentioned as a possible enticement to secure his signature.
De Ligt’s Performance For Bayern Munich So Far This Season
Matthijs De Light is having a decent campaign at the Allianz Arena as he has produced some influential displays for the Bavarian outfit in the defensive third. The 24-year-old has found the back of the net once in five appearances for Bayern Munich this season.
When it comes to defensive contributions, the Dutch talent has struggled to be consistent averaging of 0.2 tackles, 0.4 interceptions, 1.0 clearances per game in the Bundesliga. However, his precision in distributing the ball has stood out, with an impressive accuracy rate of 92.3% in the top tier of German football, as sourced from stats via whoscored.
His contract with the German giants runs until the summer of 2027. Hence, the Bundesliga side would be reluctant to sell him at the end of this season posing a challenge for the Red Devils.
Can Manchester United Boss Erik Ten Hag Lure Him Away?
De Ligt is a highly-rated defender with a formidable reputation in Europe. His defensive abilities are unquestionably his standout feature. At a relatively young age, he displays remarkable composure and intelligence in his positioning and decision-making. His reading of the game allows him to intercept passes, make crucial tackles, and excel in one-on-one duels with opposing attackers. His physicality, combined with a strong aerial presence, makes him a formidable obstacle for any opposition in set-piece situations.
Additionally, the Netherlands international possesses excellent passing ability, enabling him to initiate attacks from the back. He remains comfortable on the ball and his willingness to carry it forward make him an asset in progressing the play from the defensive third.
On the surface, the reunion of Erik ten Hag and De Ligt, given their successful history together at Ajax, seems very appealing. However, the convincing the Bavarian outfit into selling him next summer might pose a great challenge considering his price tag. He could very well provide the Red Devils with a long-term solution in the defensive department but the financial outlay would require careful consideration from Man United.
