Manchester United has sparked speculation in the football world with talks reportedly underway for the acquisition of Matthijs de Ligt, the highly-regarded Dutch defender, according to renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. Romano, known for his reliable updates on social media platform X, indicated that de Ligt is among the options being considered to bolster United’s defensive lineup, alongside other potential targets like Branthwaite.
The possibility of de Ligt joining Manchester United comes amidst reports suggesting Bayern Munich may be willing to part ways with the defender this summer. It’s been noted that Vincent Kompany, Bayern Munich’s manager, has expressed preferences for alternative central defensive options within his squad.
Previously, de Ligt himself has hinted at openness towards a move to Manchester United, despite the club’s current exclusion from the upcoming Champions League season. In an interview with Dutch media outlet vi.nl, de Ligt shared insights into his career and personal inspirations, revealing a childhood admiration for Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo. Reflecting on recent events, he remarked, “Everything is moving quickly. During the season, with the club and in various competitions, there’s hardly time to think about it. However, sometimes I realize it, like when I recently had dinner with my childhood friends. We reminisced about how I always wanted to be Cristiano Ronaldo when we played soccer in the garden, especially during his time at Manchester United. This dinner happened right after the two matches against Juventus, where I faced Ronaldo.”
Despite his openness to a potential move, de Ligt has maintained a diplomatic stance regarding his future at Bayern Munich during recent press conferences. When queried about his plans, he maintained, “I’ve already mentioned that this isn’t the right time for me to consider it. Currently, we are focused on the Euros, which is crucial for me and the national team. That’s why I can’t comment on the situation right now. But I can say that I’ve completed my second season at Bayern and I am very happy there. For now, my focus is on the Euros, and we’ll see what happens afterward.”
As the narrative surrounding Matthijs de Ligt’s potential move to Manchester United continues to unfold, much remains uncertain. The transfer is contingent on various factors, including Bayern Munich’s decisions and the progress of the ongoing European Championship, where de Ligt is focused on representing his national team. Football enthusiasts and Manchester United fans alike will be eagerly monitoring developments as the summer transfer window progresses, anticipating updates on this intriguing and potentially high-profile transfer saga.