Manchester United is reportedly prioritizing the signing of a center-back this summer. The departure of Raphael Varane and the uncertain futures of Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof have made this a pressing issue.
Lisandro Martinez’s fitness problems have also disrupted Erik ten Hag’s plans this season, with the defender missing significant periods due to injuries. Consequently, Manchester United is actively searching for a new defender to bolster their squad.
One primary target is Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt, a former Ajax player who has previously worked under Ten Hag. According to Footballwave, Manchester United and Bayern Munich are in discussions regarding the transfer of the Dutch international. The Red Devils are seen as the leading contenders to sign De Ligt.
Bayern Munich, dissatisfied with De Ligt’s performance after finishing third in the Bundesliga and failing to reach the Champions League final, are open to selling him for £42.5 million. De Ligt, who started only 16 Bundesliga games in the 2023-24 season, lost his spot in the starting lineup to Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-Jae.
Ten Hag would be pleased to reunite with De Ligt, who captained his Ajax team in 2019. Together, they won the domestic double and reached the Champions League semifinal.
De Ligt’s late-season performances for Bayern, especially against Arsenal and Real Madrid in the Champions League, indicate he could significantly improve Manchester United’s defense. The Red Devils struggled defensively in the 2023-24 season, conceding 58 goals in the Premier League and finishing with a negative goal difference.
Securing a solid defender like De Ligt is crucial for Manchester United’s ambitions of competing for trophies in the future. Improving their defensive stability is essential for their success in upcoming seasons.