Manchester United are currently watching Bundesliga star alongside Branthwaite

Manchester United are currently seeking a new centre-back, and the Dutchman has the potential to reunite with his former Ajax manager.

According to Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Germany, Manchester United are closely monitoring the situation of central defender Matthijs de Ligt. Plettenberg has disclosed that his current employers, Bayern Munich, are amenable to allowing him to leave for a suitable offer.

Erik ten Hag, who was on the verge of losing his job, is now in line for a new three-year contract. According to The Athletic, the centre-back position is high on his priority list. In addition, a new central midfielder and striker have been added.

Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, and Raphael Varane sustained injuries in 2023/24, which impeded their advancement. His primary concern was the defence line’s heart. Additionally, the latter’s departure this summer necessitates additional personnel.

De Ligt, who was born in Leiderdorp, is currently under contract with Bavaria until the summer of 2027. However, there is a strong possibility that he may be persuaded to collaborate with his former Ajax manager, Ten Hag. De Ligt contributed eight goals and five assists during his tenure at Ajax, appearing in 70 matches under Ten Hag’s guidance.

The Dutchman is among the candidates that Manchester United is considering for a new centre-back, as per Plettenberg. Jamie Carragher has described Ten Hag as a “big fan” of the former Juventus “leader.”

Understand that Manchester United is attentively monitoring the situation of Matthijs de Ligt. Erik ten Hag remains a devoted supporter of de Ligt, and #MUFC is currently in search of a new center-back.

Plettenberg asserted that De Ligt would be permitted to pursue new opportunities this summer as a result of the signing of Stuttgart’s Hiroki Ito and their increasing interest in Jonathan Tah of Bayer Leverkusen. He also indicated that he is “completely absorbed” in the possibility of achieving success with the Netherlands at the Euro 2024 tournament.

“De Ligt is permitted to depart FC Bayern in exchange for an acceptable offer.” Additionally, Tah remains a priority target, and Ito is scheduled to sign today. De Ligt, an elite athlete. Top-tier mentality. Presently, the Euros are the sole focus.

In Munich, the center-back department is comparatively bloated due to the presence of Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-jae, and Eric Dier. The aforementioned additions of Ito and Tah could further reduce the game time of £68m star De Ligt.

Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite is the undisputed first choice for Ten Hag and his retinue in terms of a new center-half. The former Carlisle United player is the ideal replacement for Raphael Varane, as he is aerially dominant, quick, and powerful.

The Times has alleged that the 13-time Premier League champions have reached an agreement with the highly sought-after 21-year-old, which would result in him earning an estimated £150-£160,000 per week. This suggests that the Englishman’s arrival is imminent.
His Premier League employers are believed to be adhering to their valuation of approximately £70 million, and the Red Devils have not yet reached an agreement on a transfer fee. In 2023/24, Branthwaite, an imposing centre-back, made his debut in the first team at Goodison Park and quickly established himself as a consistent member of the back line, accumulating 3,657 minutes across all competitions.