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German football legend Lothar Matthäus has insisted that his former side Bayern Munich would be making a huge mistake by sanctioning Matthijs de Ligt’s sale to Manchester United.
De Ligt is a player United are keen on signing as part of their efforts to rejuvenate their defensive department.
The Dutchman has an agreement with the Red Devils over a five-year contract and it’s believed he wants a reunion with Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.
Talks remain ongoing with Bayern to try and strike an agreement over the transfer fee for De Ligt.
With the news that United are on the brink of sealing a deal for Lille defender Leny Yoro, there have been slight concerns that a pursuit for De Ligt may now be put on the back burner for the time being.
A report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that Bayern want a £45m sum to permanently part ways with De Ligt. United are trying to negotiate a lower fee.
This information was corroborated by Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg who wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Manchester United, not willing to spend the €50m + add-ons demanded for Matthijs de Ligt at this stage. Therefore no final offer to Bayern yet.”
🚨🔴 Manchester United, not willing to spend the €50m + add-ons demanded for Matthijs de Ligt at this stage. Therefore no final offer to Bayern yet … #MUFC
ManUtd also prioritized a transfer of Leny #Yoro for this reason. Now he’s on the verge to undergo his medical with… pic.com
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) July 17, 2024
Amidst all this, Matthäus spoke to sport.de and said that Bayern would be best served by keeping De Ligt and his teammate Joshua Kimmich.
The 1991 Ballon d’Or winner said, “For me, Matthijs de Ligt is someone who has the Bayern Munich gene.”
“Joshua Kimmich is also someone for whom I don’t really need a new number six.”
Matthäus added, “But these are decisions made by the club and the player. Everyone thinks a little differently.”
He once again reiterated that Kimmich and De Ligt “have that Bayern Munich gene that you haven’t felt in recent years with some of the players you’ve signed.”
In addition to De Ligt and Yoro, the other prime defensive target understood to be on United’s radar is Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite.
Erik ten Hag’s side saw a second bid for Branthwaite turned down by the Toffees.
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