Manchester United hope to sign Matthijs de Ligt at bargain price | OneFootball

Manchester United have entered “formal talks” with Bayern Munich over a move for Matthijs de Ligt with Old Trafford executives hoping to strike a much cheaper deal than previously expected.

Ben Jacobs (GiveMeSport) reveals United are currently negotiating a transfer “framed around a €40m package” – far below the €70 million asking price Bayern were reported to be demanding a few days ago.

Jacobs describes De Ligt as “open to the move” to Manchester, mirroring reports relayed by The Peoples Person last week, which revealed the Dutch centre-back was willing to join United despite the prospect of no Champions League football next season.

Writing on X, Jacobs explained in full:

“Manchester United are now in formal talks with Bayern Munich over Matthijs de Ligt. With Jarrad Branthwaite too expensive, and Jean-Clair Todibo not possible, #MUFC currently focused on De Ligt, although could add two centre-backs.

“Understand initial discussions framed around a €40m package. De Ligt open to the move, and the overall cost of a deal is lower than United anticipated when De Ligt first came under consideration in March.”

If a price of €40 million could be agreed for the 24-year-old defender, it would constitute a significant boost to United’s ability to invest elsewhere in Erik ten Hag’s squad this summer. Due to the acute pressure of the Premier League’s profits and sustainability rules, United’s financial position is a limited one.

The club’s recent splurges in the transfer window under the inept combination of Richard Arnold and John Murtough, who have both since departed Old Trafford as INEOS have flexed their muscles since assuming control, have left the Red Devils short on money and even shorter on quality on the pitch.

As referenced by Jacobs, Branthwaite – Everton’s 21-year-old centre-back – had emerged as the club’s primary transfer target in the early stage of the summer window. United had been hopeful the Merseyside club’s own financial struggles would force them to concede on their £75 million valuation of Branthwaite before the June 30 PSR deadline, but this not happen.

This forced United to look elsewhere for their much-needed defensive upgrades and while a return for Branthwaite is not ruled out, it appears increasingly unlikely given Everton’s resolute stance and improved economic position.

As such, the Red Devils now appear ready to sanction a move for De Ligt as a much cheaper price than the one required to land the English youngster. This would, in turn, enable United to allocate funds towards a midfielder and centre-forward; two areas of desperate need for the club.

De Ligt, who emerged as one of Europe’s hottest defensive prospects under the tutelage of Ten Hag at Ajax, will be hoping to rediscover the form he showed under the Dutch manager should a reunion materialise, as it looks increasingly likely to do so with Bayern and United locked in “formal talks”.

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