Transfer Centre

Manchester United-linked centre-back addresses Bayern Munich future

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 27 March 2024

Man United-linked centre-back addresses Bayern future

Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt plays down speculation that he could leave Bayern Munich this summer amid reports of interest from Manchester United.

Matthijs de Ligt has played down speculation that he could be leaving Bayern Munich this summer amid reports of interest from Manchester United.

The Red Devils are expected to sign at least one centre-back this summer, but it is possible that two could arrive depending on the futures of Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire.

Varane and Evans are both out of contract at the end of June, while there remains speculation surrounding the futures of Lindelof and Maguire, with arguably only Lisandro Martinez guaranteed to be at Old Trafford next season from the current crop of central defenders.

De Ligt has been linked with a switch to Manchester, with Bayern thought to be willing to discuss an exit for the Netherlands international during the upcoming transfer window.

However, when asked whether he or in-demand attacker Jamal Musiala could leave Allianz Arena this summer, De Ligt insisted that he had no plans to move on.

Matthijs de Ligt in action for Bayern Munich on July 20, 2022 © Reuters

"Where to go? On holiday?" De Ligt told reporters while on international duty. "But no, I don't think so. I hope for us and for Bayern that we'll both stay. That's what I'm assuming, too.

"I'm not yet where I want to be with the national team, but that also has to do with injuries. As a player you always want to play.

"We have a lot of good centre-backs. Ultimately, top football is about competing with many good defenders. You have to be there for the matches you get."

De Ligt has made 22 appearances for Bayern during the 2023-24 campaign, and he has worked his way into the team in recent months, having started the campaign on the bench before picking up a knee injury.

Bayern Munich's Harry Kane celebrates scoring their fifth goal with Matthijs de Ligt, Jamal Musiala and teammates on October 28, 2023 © Reuters

The defender secured his 44th cap for the Netherlands on Tuesday evening, playing the full 90 minutes of his team's 2-1 defeat to Germany in an international friendly.

Man United were believed to be one of the teams competing for De Ligt's signature in the summer of 2019 after his impressive performances for Dutch giants Ajax.

Juventus ultimately won the race to sign him, and the defender spent three seasons with the Old Lady before moving to Bayern, and he has since turned out for the German club on 65 occasions.

De Ligt has won the Bundesliga and DFL-Supercup during his time at Allianz Arena, and Bayern are fighting for two more trophies during the 2023-24 campaign.

Thomas Tuchel's side will take on Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the Champions League next month, while they are second in the Bundesliga table, 10 points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen.