Manchester United have been dealt a major blow in their pursuit of Matthijs de Ligt as a huge update has changed the landscape of the proposed transfer.
Manchester United have acquired Leny Yoro from Lille and Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna this summer. The Red Devils are still looking to sign another center-back, as Yoro, who was brought in for £58.9 million, has sustained a severe injury that will sideline him for at least three months.
De Ligt is believed to be a top target on Manchester United’s transfer list, with Ten Hag having previously worked with the defender during his tenure at Ajax.
However, a transfer for the Dutch defender is complicated by Bayern Munich’s interest in Jonathan Tah. According to German outlet BILD, Bayer Leverkusen has set a deadline for Bayern to complete the deal for Tah, as they need clarity for their squad before the new season starts.
Leverkusen is urging Bayern to make a final decision. The report adds that if no offer is made by the weekend, Tah will remain at the club for the final year of his contract.
The defending Bundesliga champions are seeking €30 million (£26 million) for the 28-year-old German international; without this amount, the transfer will not proceed.
Last month, Ten Hag addressed Manchester United’s interest in the 24-year-old, acknowledging their pursuit but expressing uncertainty about whether he will move this summer. “It remains to be seen whether Matthijs de Ligt will join us; I know him well,” he said.
“I wanted to sign him two years ago, but by then, he was already close to joining Bayern. Believe it or not, his name did not come up from my end during that process.
“While I was on vacation for three or four weeks, I was not involved in the process. During that time, it was primarily the club’s newly established scouting and recruitment department that handled the acquisition of these players.”
“The presence of Dutch players among them is actually coincidental. Primarily, these were players suggested by our organization. However, I support these choices, and it’s important to note that we still make decisions together.”
