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.”