Update — July 2nd, 12:07PM EDT: Bayern’s confidence with Tah driving De Ligt sale
According to the latest info from Fabrizio Romano, Bayern Munich feels good about selling Matthijs de Ligt because of how far along in the process it is with Bayer Leverkusen center-back Jonathan Tah:
Bayern are prepared to sell Matthijs de Ligt also because they’re now increasingly confident to bring in Jonathan Tah.
Bayern feel that their next proposal to Bayer could be the right one to get the green light and close the deal.
Tah can’t wait to join Bayern. pic.twitter.com/jzAjUuhlZ7
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 2, 2024
It appears that Bayern Munich and Matthijs de Ligt could be steamrolling toward a divorce.
English broadcaster and journalist Ben Jacobs (via @iMiaSanMia) kicked off the latest news slam with information on what a deal between Manchester United and Bayern Munich might look like:
Initial discussions between Manchester United and Bayern for Matthijs de Ligt framed around a €40m package. De Ligt is open to the move, and the overall cost of a deal is lower than United anticipated when De Ligt first came under consideration in March.
Sport1 journalist Christopher Michel (via @iMiaSanMia) offered an interesting angle to the story by reporting that De Ligt would be willing to take a paycut to go to the Red Devils, while also adding new details on a transfer fee:
Matthijs de Ligt would be willing to take a pay cut to join Manchester United. The Dutchman earns around €15m/year at Bayern. United would like to offer below €12m/year. De Ligt is still open to the move, with Erik ten Hag pushing to sign him. Bayern are very open to a sale. De Ligt’s lack of pace and injury record are two major flaws, with Vincent Kompany relying on other attributes for the centre-back position. United’s opening offer was a package of around €40m. Bayern initially wanted more than €50m, but are now willing to let him go for €50m including add-ons and a potential sell-on clause.
Some Bayern Munich fans are not eager to see this deal go through, though. De Telegraaf journalist Mike Verweij indicated that a group has started an online petition to keep De Ligt in Bavaria:
A petition has now been started in Bavaria to persuade FC Bayern Munich to keep Matthijs de Ligt. The defender of @OnsOranje has a 5-year offer from Manchester United.
A link to the petition is here, though it is very doubtful it will help the cause to keep the Dutchman in Germany.
Finally, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano posted that De Ligt has given Manchester United the go-ahead to get the deal done:
Matthijs de Ligt has given green light to Manchester United move after direct contacts with his camp.
Personal terms are not an issue as his agent Pimenta is only negotiating with Man United, priority for the player.
Up to Man Utd and Bayern, in talks over deal structure.
Sky Sport journalist Florian Plettenberg said that Manchester United officials are “surprised” that the Bavarians would let De Ligt leave:
⤵️ It can happen quickly after the Euros if Manchester United put the right offer on the table. Bayern want at least €50m plus bonus payments as revealed.
Understand there are officials at #MUFC who are surprised that Bayern would let De Ligt go.
De Ligt, keen to join ManUtd as Ten Hag made clear to him that he really wants him! Vincent Kompany with other plans next season …
If true (and it sure seems like it is), the chips seem to have fallen in place for this deal to happen. The only caveat is if Manchester United can get Bayern Munich to agree on a transfer fee. Any deal will likely represent a financial loss (Bayern acquired De Ligt for €67 million in 2022 per Transfermarkt) and a drop in quality to the club’s backline.
Neither of those things would be considered “good” by many fans.
Looking for more thoughts and analysis on everything going with the German national team and Bayern Munich? Then we have you covered with our latest edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works Show, which is available on Spotify or below:
Hasibur Rahaman is a passionate sports journalist. He covers everything from cricket to field hockey, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis of sporting events, both within India and on the international stage.
