Inter Milan eyeing shock loan move with option to buy for Manchester United’s Matthijs de Ligt | OneFootball

Inter Milan are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt on an initial loan deal with the option to make the transfer a permanent one.

United signed De Ligt last summer from Bayern Munich in a deal worth around €50m, including add-ons.

Despite United’s struggles this season, De Ligt has done well, producing a number of defensively solid performances both under Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim.

Amorim has frequently positioned the Netherlands international at the centre of his three-man defence, though De Ligt has also been deployed on the right side of the back-three, where he has delivered some standout displays.

De Ligt has made 28 appearances in the Premier League this term, helping United keep eight clean sheets in that period. He has also scored two goals.

According to Italian news outlet Tuttomercatoweb [via VoetbalPrimeur], Inter are keen on taking De Ligt back to Serie A. The 25-year-old spent three years at Juventus between 2019 and 2022, having joined them from Ajax. It’s from Juventus that he signed for Bayern.

De Ligt features on the Nerazzurri’s wishlist, with the Italian giants eager to secure him on an initial loan deal. Should he impress at San Siro, the club hopes to retain the option to make the move permanent.

It remains to be seen whether Inter will follow through on their interest in the defender and how United will respond to any formal approach.

The only scenario in which United might consider parting ways with De Ligt is if a bid comes in that’s simply too good to refuse. Inter’s proposed loan deal falls well short of that, making it unlikely the Red Devils will entertain their offer.

Ruben Amorim would also likely not be open to losing one of the very few players who has demonstrated some consistency under him.

De Ligt is currently sidelined with an ankle injury sustained in the closing stages of United’s 1-o defeat to Nottingham Forest earlier this month.

However, Amorim confirmed last week that De Ligt will return before the end of the season.

Featured image Gareth Copley via Getty Images

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