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Manchester United’s pursuit of Matthijs de Ligt may have hit a significant roadblock following a key transfer decision by Bayern Munich that could directly affect the Dutch defender’s future.
United have been keen on securing De Ligt this summer, especially after their recent signing, Leny Yoro, suffered an injury that will sideline him for at least three months.
Negotiations between United and Bayern had been ongoing, with personal terms reportedly already agreed upon with De Ligt.
However, the transfer discussions were put on pause as the Premier League club sought to raise funds through player sales.
Complicating matters further, Bayern Munich’s new defensive acquisition, Hiroki Ito, recently sustained an injury, leading the club to reconsider De Ligt’s potential sale.
This development could significantly diminish United’s chances of landing the 24-year-old center-back.
Initially, Bayern had plans to bring in Jonathan Tah as an additional defensive reinforcement, which would have facilitated De Ligt’s departure.
The Bundesliga giants had agreed on a deal with Bayer Leverkusen for Tah last month, but talks with the 28-year-old center-back have since stalled.
According to reports from the German outlet kicker, Bayern Munich has now decided against signing Tah, with some within the club expressing doubts about the player’s fit. This decision leaves United in a precarious position regarding their pursuit of De Ligt.
Glimmer of hope for United
Despite this setback, there remains a glimmer of hope for United. Bayern is still actively pursuing Rennes’ young talent, Désiré Doué, with a potential transfer fee of around €60 million. However, Bayern must first offload players to finance the move.
Given De Ligt’s high wages and his current role under Vincent Kompany, where he is not considered a first-choice starter, Bayern may still be open to selling the former Ajax star if the right offer comes in.
Talks between Bayern and United are believed to be ongoing, keeping the possibility of a transfer alive.
Additionally, United is also reportedly interested in signing Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern, potentially in a double deal involving both De Ligt and Mazraoui.
While the decision to pass on Tah has undoubtedly complicated matters, it has not completely closed the door on a potential move for De Ligt this summer, offering some hope for Erik ten Hag’s side as they navigate this challenging transfer window.
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