Bobby Boucher
Manchester United has reached an agreement to sign Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich, with the player already having arrived at Carrington alongside right-back Noussair Mazraoui to undergo medical examinations.
The deal for De Ligt is valued at €50 million (£42.9 million), comprising an initial payment of €45 million (£38.6 million) and an additional €5 million (£4.3 million) in potential add-ons.
In order for De Ligt to be eligible for Manchester United’s Premier League opener against Fulham on Friday, he must be registered by midday on Thursday. The 24-year-old defender has spent the last two seasons with Bayern Munich following his transfer from Juventus, during which he made 73 appearances and scored five goals.
De Ligt previously played under Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax, where they enjoyed a successful campaign, winning the Eredivisie in 2019. This reunion between De Ligt and Ten Hag at United marks a significant chapter in the player’s career, particularly given the history surrounding his potential move to Old Trafford in the past.
Back in 2018, Dutch scout Piet de Visser had expressed reservations about De Ligt, believing that the young defender might struggle with his weight as he matured. This concern stemmed from the observation that De Ligt’s father was overweight, leading to fears that the player might face similar issues.
At that time, then-manager Jose Mourinho had identified De Ligt as his top defensive target. However, due to De Visser’s concerns, the club ultimately decided not to pursue the Dutch star. Instead, Manchester United opted to sign Harry Maguire from Leicester City for a record £80 million, while De Ligt moved to Juventus for £67.8 million.
Erik ten Hag, who played a pivotal role in De Ligt’s development at Ajax, spoke highly of the player in 2019, stating that the then-19-year-old was “one of the best defenders in Europe” and suggesting that De Ligt had yet to fully realize his potential, estimating that he had only shown “60 to 80 per cent of his potential.”
“One of the best defenders in Europe” and unsure if he had “shown 60 to 80 per cent of his potential,” Ten Hag said in 2019 regarding a 19-year-old De Ligt.
Now, with a reported transfer fee of £42 million, De Ligt is set to reunite with Ten Hag at Manchester United. The move comes just two years after Bayern Munich paid £57.5 million to secure the defender’s services from Juventus.
Joining De Ligt on the journey from Bavaria to Manchester is Moroccan right-back Noussair Mazraoui, who also played under Ten Hag at Ajax. The 26-year-old is expected to complete a £17.1 million move to United, further strengthening the squad ahead of the new season.
With these signings, Manchester United is making significant strides to bolster their defense, bringing in players who have already proven themselves at the highest levels of European football and have a strong connection with the current manager. The coming days will reveal how these additions impact the team’s performance as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
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