Uli Hoeness, Bayern Munich‘s honorary president, discussed the potential of Matthijs de Ligt joining Manchester United this summer, implying a reunion with Erik ten Hag for the Dutchman.
This summer, the Red Devils have already signed a centre-back, with Leny Yoro joining from Lille for £52 million earlier this week.
Manchester United are still looking for another defender and have been linked with a deal for De Ligt, with whom Ten Hag previously worked at Ajax.
The 24-year-old began his career with the Dutch giants and was guided by Ten Hag before moving to Juventus in 2019.
Hoeness says it is a possibility that Bayern will sell a defender during this transfer window and hinted that it could well be De Ligt moving to Old Trafford, although he did say he is not looking to force the Netherlands international out of the club.
‘It’s possible that a defender will leave,’ Hoeness said, via Sky. ‘De Ligt is Dutch, the coach at Manchester United is Dutch.
‘I would have no problem if he stays. Personally, I would not sell [Dayot] Upamecano.’
Ten Hag has also been open about Manchester United’s pursuit of De Ligt, saying he was keen to bring him to the club two years ago, but it was not actually him who pushed for the move this time around.
‘It remains to be seen whether De Ligt will come,’ Ten Hag told AD Sportwereld.
‘I know Matthijs well and I will not deny that. I wanted to sign him two years ago but at that time he was already very far along to join Bayern Munich but believe it or not, his name did not come from me in the process [at United].’
It is shaping up to be a busy and significant summer in the transfer market for the Red Devils, with Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee already arriving at Old Trafford, while Mason Greenwood, Donny van de Beek and Willy Kambwala have been sold and the likes of Raphael Varane, Anthony Martial and Brandon Williams have been released.
United have had two bids turned down for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite and are working on a deal for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte.
The Red Devils have also been linked with snapping up free agent Adrien Rabiot after the France international left Juventus at the end of his contract.