Manchester United are reportedly set to sign Matthijs de Ligt as their first summer signing as soon as the Netherlands have finished in Euro 2024 this summer. The Dutch side will face Turkey in the quarter final stage of the tournament on Sunday evening.

It has been revealed today that United’s Premier League rivals Liverpool and French Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain have both tried to hijack United’s deal to sign de Ligt this summer but the player has only given authorisation for his agent to speak to United so far this summer.

This could be for one of two reasons; the player only wants to leave Bayern Munich for Manchester United this summer or that the deal is at an advanced stage where it requires just a medical to be completed and the player to sign a contract for it to be completed.

The fact that the Dutchman has rejected Liverpool should be headline news seeing as when a player previously linked to United, then signs for Liverpool is headline news whether United were actively trying to sign the player or not – but United sells newspapers and feeds rubbish journalists!

United manager Erik ten Hag, who signed a new contract with the Old Trafford club until the summer of 2026 today, has worked with de Ligt before when he managed Ajax – so he seems set to work with the 24-year-old once again – providing this transfer is completed.

United needed to strengthen the defence this summer, replacing Raphael Varane who left the club as a free agent this summer. Significant strengthening also needs to be done in order to leave United stronger in the defence after many injuries in the positions thwarted United last season.

United are also interested in signing Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton this summer but the Merseyside club has held firm on their valuation so far and United would need to sell in order to make another huge investment in the centre of the defence. That’s not the only area to strengthen.

Ten Hag also needs to sign a midfielder and a striker and probably look at strengthening the wing positions with is suggested that six or seven players are safe at the club this summer. With the changes made to the hierarchy of the club, it could be an exciting transfer window to watch.

Manchester United are reportedly looking to sign Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich in the coming weeks and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that the Dutchman is solely focused on completing a deal to Old Trafford.

Raphael Varane’s exit has put Erik ten Hag in a difficult situation with Lisandro Martinez, who has become increasingly injury-prone, needing a new centre-back partner as the Red Devils enter a new era under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority ownership.

Alongside a new centre forward and engine room reinforcements, centre-back has been identified as a position in need of strengthening, per The Athletic, and with a deal for Jarrad Branthwaite too expensive, De Ligt is Manchester United’s primary choice.

Man Utd ‘Only Club’ Allowed to Negotiate for De Ligt
De Ligt gives priority to Man Utd move.

Speaking about the De Ligt move and its recent progression, Romano stated that the former Ajax skipper has told his agent, Rafaela Pimenta, that Manchester United are the only club that are allowed to negotiate with him, his agent or his camp.

“Matthijs de Ligt has told his agent, Rafaela Pimenta, already one week ago that the only club allowed to be in negotiations with him, with his camp, with his agent, is Manchester United. Matthijs de Ligt wants to give priority to Manchester United and he wants to go to Manchester United as at Bayer, he is not a regular starter. With the Dutch national team, he is not a regular starter and de Ligt wants to play on a regular basis.

Having played 70 times under Ten Hag’s stewardship in the Netherlands, the rapport between the compatriots is still positive given the 54-year-old tactician has been in regular contact with his primary target, who has been described as ‘world-class’ by Bayern’s sporting director Christoph Freund.

Romano, in his update, also revealed that, alongside direct talks with those representing the Bayern Munich outcast, Joshua Zirkzee of Bologna has also been contacted by the club, who are looking for reinforcements in the centre forward department this summer.

“De Ligt wants to find a top club where he can be trusted 100%. De Ligt knows that, at Manchester United, there is Erik ten Hag, who has been in communication with De Ligt. Also, let me tell you this, because Ten Hag has been in direct communication with Joshua Zirkzee and in direct communication also with the Matthijs de Ligt.”

After scoring the least amount of goals among the top-eight teams in the Premier League, it is natural that Manchester United will want to bring in help for Rasmus Hojlund upfront.

The Dane was clearly overplayed with Erik ten Hag having no other choice but to keep playing him as the incompetent Glazers refused to back the manager, both last summer and in January.

United have been linked with a plethora of names but recent reports have indicated that Joshua Zirkzee of Bologna is the club’s preferred target.

The chase for the Dutchman has been far from easy with the former Bayern Munich starlet eager to play as the main man upfront, something his current club were open to offering while AC Milan were also looking at making him their focal point upfront.

Zirkzee chase

United were deeply impressed with Hojlund’s impressive debut campaign and plan to keep him as their No 9 moving forward which meant Zirkzee could have to play second fiddle at times.

A release clause of €40 million meant plenty of suitors were interested but the Rossoneri and Juventus were not comfortable with paying the player’s agent, Kia Joorabchian, his commission fees.

United have no qualms over the agent fees and have agreed to pay the requisite amount and all that was needed was for the club to win the player’s confidence.

Ten Hag proceeded to personally speak to his compatriot and that seems to have done the trick if Corriere di Bologna are to be believed.

They have reported that the striker is now convinced with Ten Hag’s ongoing project at Old Trafford and is ready to join the 20-time English league champions.

Zirkzee has agreed to join United

“The latest developments in the story indicates that a farewell is now certain, with the striker ready to join Manchester United, who have apparently reached an agreement with the boy’s agent regarding the commissions and convinced the 23-year-old about his role in the technical project.

“It was Erik Ten Hag, coach of the Red Devils, who contacted Zirkzee directly to overcome his resistance to the transfer to a team that already has a very respectable attack.”

Apart from his ball-striking and dribbling ability, Zirkzee is proficient in dropping deep to link up play and can also act as a playmaker at times.

This will certainly add a different dimension to the United attack and his profile means he can play in tandem with the Denmark international due to their different styles of play.