Manchester United have reportedly agreed to a deal with Bayern Munich to sign Matthijs de Ligt for €50 million (£42.9m). The transfer involves an initial payment of €45 million (£38.6m), with an additional €5 million (£4.3m) in performance-related add-ons. The move hinges on De Ligt passing a medical, with personal terms expected to be easily agreed upon. United are racing against time to register the defender by midday on Thursday, which would make him available for their Premier League opener against Fulham.
De Ligt, who previously played under Erik ten Hag at Ajax, has spent the last two seasons at Bayern Munich, making 73 appearances and scoring five goals. His arrival would mark United’s second centre-back signing of the summer, following the £59 million purchase of Leny Yoro, who is currently sidelined with a foot injury. United’s defensive options are thin due to a series of injuries, making De Ligt’s potential addition even more crucial ahead of their upcoming fixtures.
In a related development, United are also working on finalizing a deal for Bayern Munich right-back Noussair Mazraoui. This move is expected to proceed once Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s transfer to West Ham is completed. Wan-Bissaka’s exit is nearing agreement, with confidence growing that both deals will soon be finalized. De Ligt, once hailed as one of the top defensive prospects in Europe, has had mixed fortunes at Juventus and Bayern, but at just 24, there is hope that Ten Hag can help him reach his full potential once again.