Man Utd told to pay £42.4m+ to agree deal for £260k-a-week star, Erik ten Hag wants him - report

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 they are currently working on deals for Jarrad Branthwaite and De Ligt.

Earlier today, Mike Verweij revealed that talks are underway between United and Bayern for De Ligt and Plettenberg claims that Bayern want at least £42.4 million plus bonuses for the Dutchman.

The Red Devils are yet to make an official bid on the table, but De Ligt’s agent Rafaela Pimenta is in direct touch 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 managed to revive his career at Bayern, but now has concerns over playing time.

Bayern recently signed Hiroki Ito from Stuttgart to bolster their options at the heart of the defence. They are also pushing to land Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah.

In such a case, De Ligt would not want to stay in Munich. At Old Trafford, the £260,000-a-week star has the chance to become a regular starter from right centre-back, partnering Lisandro Martinez.

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 an aerial presence too.

United will surely want to bargain on the final price. They would ideally want to sign him for around £35m as a fixed fee with an additional £5m in performance add-ons.

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