AGREED: INEOS and Ten Hag agree on signing 24-year-old this summer, club willing to sell player less than £65m

AGREED: INEOS and Ten Hag agree on signing 24-year-old this summer, club willing to sell player less than £65m

Man United could make a move to sign Matthijs de Ligt this summer, as the club look to bolster their centre-back options.

Manchester United’s main transfer target in the centre-back position is Jarrad Branthwaite. The Englishman, who comes with a hefty price tag, enjoyed an excellent 2023/24 campaign, with the Red Devils viewing him as the perfect option to replace Raphael Varane.

The problem? Money is incredibly tight for the Old Trafford club, while Everton want somewhere around the £70m mark to let Branthwaite depart Goodison Park this summer.

As a result, United have to look at other targets. Among them, Matthijs de Ligt. The Times (subscription required), have provided some information on that front. They say that United actually want to sign two centre-halves this summer. One, a partner for Lisandro Martinez. The other, a left-footed defender who can play when the Argentine needs a rest or is unavailable.

De Ligt would fill that first hole, presumably as a direct replacement for the aforementioned Varane.

The Times state that INEOS suggested the 24-year-old to Ten Hag as a potential signing this summer, with the Dutchman agreeing that De Ligt would be a good addition. To further add to that, Bayern Munich would be willing to cash in on the defender for significantly less than £65m – which is far cheaper than Branthwaite.

De Ligt comes with more experience than Branthwaite, while he feels like a more well-rounded player at this stage of his career. Perhaps that’s exactly what United need, as they look to slot someone directly into the starting XI this summer.