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4 months ago
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Manchester United have reportedly agreed personal terms for Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt ahead of a potential summer transfer.
Man United boss Erik ten Hag has been hoping to get a deal over the line for his former Ajax defender.
Talks have been ongoing with Bayern Munich over a potential £43m deal.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Man United have now verbally agreed personal terms with De Ligt.
Central defence has been viewed as a key position for Red Devils to strength this summer.
Man United have reportedly verbally agreed personal terms with defender Matthijs de Ligt
De Ligt starred for Ten Hag's Ajax side before leaving the club to join Juventus in 2019
The 24-year-old defender made 30 appearances in all competitions for Bayern last summer
De Ligt is keen to work with his old Ajax boss Ten Hag at Old Trafford.
After taking over at Ajax in 2018, Ten Hag made De Ligt the club's youngest-ever captain as they went on to win both the Eredivisie and the KNVB Cup in the 2018-19 season.
They also reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in the same campaign.
De Ligt joined Juventus that summer for £65.6m, before joining Bayern Munich three years later for a reported £68m.
United are ready to offer De Ligt, 24, a five-year contract if they can strike a deal with Bayern Munich.
The Red Devils will be looking to play De Ligt on the right side of central defence should he join the club.
De Ligt is currently with the Netherlands squad at Euro 2024, with Ronald Koeman's side facing England in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
The centre back has been an unused substitute in their five matches at the tournament to date.
Ten Hag made De Ligt the youngest-ever captain in Ajax's history back in 2018
The centre back is currently with the Netherlands ahead of their Euro 2024 semi-final
Man United had also returned with a second bid for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite
De Ligt would be expected to have three weeks' holiday after the tournament.
Mail Sport revealed earlier that United were holding a recruitment meeting on Monday to discuss transfers moves, including for De Ligt.
The Red Devils are also in advanced talks for Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee, whose buyout clause at the Italian side is £34m.
Mail Sport also revealed on Monday that the club had tabled an improved offer of £45million plus £5m in add-ons for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite.
Everton rejected Unted’s opening bid of £35m last month and are known to want closer to £70m for the 22-year-old defender.
United are prepared to give Branthwaite a long-term contract worth £160,000-a-week.
The club’s other priority position in the summer transfer window is a defensive midfielder with Manuel Ugarte of Paris Saint-Germain high on the list of targets.
United will have to sell players to balance the books and comply with profit and sustainability rules, and Mason Greenwood could be the first player heading for the exit.
It’s believed that Greenwood is close to ending his controversial United career after Marseille made a £27m bid with the offer of a significant sell-on clause.
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