MANCHESTER UNITED ARE NEARING THE ACQUISITION OF BAYERN MUNICH DUO MATTHIJS DE LIGT AND NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI IN A DEAL EXPECTED TO EXCEED £50 MILLION
BBC Sport has received confirmation that Bayern Munich has agreed to a bid from Manchester United for the transfer of defender Matthijs de Ligt. The deal is reported to be worth £38.6 million upfront, with an additional £4.3 million in potential performance-related add-ons. De Ligt, a key player under Erik ten Hag during his time at Ajax, notably captained the Dutch side to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019. This reunion with Ten Hag at Manchester United marks a significant move for the 24-year-old Dutch international.
In addition to the pursuit of De Ligt, Manchester United is also on the verge of securing the services of Morocco international Noussair Mazraoui, a 26-year-old defender from Bayern Munich. The deal for Mazraoui is expected to cost United £12.9 million. Both De Ligt and Mazraoui are seen as strategic acquisitions, addressing key positions in United’s defensive lineup—central defense and right-back, areas that Ten Hag has identified as priorities for strengthening his squad.
Erik ten Hag has emphasized the importance of reinforcing these positions, and in recent comments, he noted that the club’s new leadership is "eager" to complete transfers that will bolster the team ahead of the new season. The acquisition of Mazraoui is particularly significant in light of the expected departure of Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The right-back, who joined United from Crystal Palace in 2019 for £50 million, has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford. It has now been confirmed that Manchester United has reached an agreement with West Ham United for Wan-Bissaka's transfer, with the 26-year-old set to undergo a medical examination with the Hammers on Sunday.
Manchester United’s defensive overhaul has been a focal point this summer, especially after their two bids for Everton’s England international, Jarrad Branthwaite, were turned down. With Everton standing firm on their £70 million valuation for Branthwaite, United opted to pursue De Ligt as a more cost-effective alternative. Despite being a less expensive option, De Ligt brings a wealth of experience, having played at the highest levels in European football.
De Ligt's career trajectory includes a high-profile move to Juventus in 2019 for £67.5 million, where he quickly established himself as one of the top defenders in Serie A. During his time in Italy, De Ligt won a Serie A title and a Coppa Italia, making 117 appearances for the Bianconeri. In 2022, he transferred to Bayern Munich for £65.6 million, where he continued his success, adding a Bundesliga title to his resume over the course of 73 appearances for the German giants.
The acquisition of both De Ligt and Mazraoui represents a significant step in Erik ten Hag's plans to rebuild and reinforce Manchester United’s squad. Both players previously played together at Ajax, where they were part of a formidable defense that also featured Andre Onana, now the goalkeeper for Manchester United. Their familiarity with Ten Hag’s tactics and style of play is expected to ease their transition into the squad, further strengthening United’s prospects for the upcoming season.
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