Manchester United are favourites ahead of Arsenal to sign Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt during the summer transfer window, according to Tutto Juve.
The Dutchman signed for Bayern Munich from Juventus in the summer of 2022, but there is currently uncertainty over his future beyond the present campaign.
De Ligt recently got a regular run of games under manager Thomas Tuchel, but he was back on the bench as soon as Kim Min-jae and Dayot Upamecano were available to play.
In the recent defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, Tuchel preferred a three-man backline including Eric Dier. De Ligt was an unused substitute in the 3-0 loss to the league leaders.
It is now reported that United and Arsenal want to secure the services of the former Ajax man.
However, the Red Devils are leading the pursuit with negotiations ongoing with his representatives.
It is suggested that he could leave the Bundesliga holders for €50 million this summer.
De Ligt would be a perfect signing for manager Erik ten Hag
Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund recently admitted that De Ligt was disappointed to be left out of the Leverkusen game. We won’t be surprised if he decides to move on.
United and Arsenal are both lucrative destinations for the Dutchman, but it is unlikely that he would displace either Gabriel Magalhaes or William Saliba in the Gunners backline.
On the contrary, the door is open with the Red Devils. Raphael Varane’s current deal expires in June. The club have decided against triggering an extension clause in his €397,000-a-week contract.
No contract talks are ongoing at the moment. If the Frenchman decides against a significant salary cut to extend his stay, he could leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.
In that case, a replacement will be required and De Ligt would be a perfect signing for the manager.
Erik ten Hag worked with his compatriot at Ajax. He handed him the captaincy as a teenager. The centre-back prospered, but he has yet to find the same level of consistency elsewhere.
A reunion at Old Trafford could bring the best out of him. De Ligt, still only 24, would be a like-for-like replacement for Varane. He has a passing accuracy of 94 per cent this term.
The Netherlands star has won 55 per cent of his duels with 2.5 clearances and 3.2 ball recoveries per outing. He is known for his ball control from the back which suits United.
Hence, we are not surprised that the club have started a dialogue with his representatives ahead of a potential approach to sign him from Bayern during the next transfer window.
Bayern would want a replacement first before cashing in on him. Tuchel is reportedly eyeing Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo. His arrival could pave the way for De Ligt’s move to United.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com, Sofascore.com & Capology.com
