Manchester United will need to pay an initial £42.4 million to sign Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt, according to Sky Sport Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg.
The Red Devils are determined to bolster their central defensive department this summer and are working on deals for Jarrad Branthwaite and De Ligt.
Talks are underway between United and Bayern for De Ligt and Bayern reportedly want at least £42.4 million plus bonuses for the Dutchman.
The Red Devils are yet to make an official bid, but De Ligt’s agent Rafaela Pimenta is in direct contact with United to find an agreement. Manager Erik ten Hag ‘really wants’ to sign him.
De Ligt edging closer to Ten Hag reunion
De Ligt previously worked under Ten Hag at Ajax between 2017 and 2019. As a teenager, he was handed the captain’s armband due to his maturity and leadership skills.
The 24-year-old went on to join Juventus where he had a mixed spell. He has revived his career at Bayern but now has concerns over playing time.
Bayern recently signed Hiroki Ito from Stuttgart to bolster their options in the heart of the defence. They are also pushing to land Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah.
De Ligt would not want to stay in Munich if Tah signs for the club. The £260,000-a-week star has the chance to become a regular starter alongside Lisandro Martinez at United.
His playing style would suit Ten Hag after their time together at Ajax. He is a strong ball-playing centre-back who is good with recoveries and has a strong aerial presence.
United will want to bargain on the final price. They would ideally like to sign him for around £35m as a fixed fee with an additional £5m in performance add-ons.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Capology.com.
