Bayern Munich have turned down Manchester United’s initial offer for Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt, according to German reports.
United are keen on acquiring the 24-year-old even though they have already signed French center-back Leny Yoro this summer.
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Manchester United released Raphael Varane at the end of the season and sold Willy Kambwala to Spanish club Villarreal earlier this month.
It was originally believed that United would choose between Yoro and De Ligt, but the club is now attempting to sign both players.
Erik ten Hag, who previously managed De Ligt at Ajax, is known to admire the 24-year-old.
However, Manchester United still have work to do to bring De Ligt to Old Trafford, as Bayern Munich have rejected their initial offer, according to BILD.
It is reported that United’s first bid was just under £30 million, approximately £15 million less than Bayern’s valuation.
The Red Devils have already brought Leny Yoro to Old Trafford (Picture: Getty).
Manchester United remain in discussions with the Bundesliga giants and are expected to return with an improved bid.
Bayern Munich paid over £70 million to sign De Ligt from Juventus in 2022, but the Dutchman has not met expectations in Germany.
De Ligt was part of the Netherlands squad that reached the semi-finals of Euro 2024 but did not play for Ronald Koeman’s team.
Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness discussed the possibility of Matthijs de Ligt transferring to Manchester United over the weekend.
‘It’s possible that a defender will leave,’ Hoeness said. ‘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.’
The Manchester United manager addressed the speculation about his interest in signing De Ligt last week.
‘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].’
United submitted an official bid for De Ligt after two unsuccessful offers for Everton and England defender Jarrad Branthwaite.
Everton are hesitant to let go of Branthwaite this summer, but Liverpool legend Phil Thompson believes the 22-year-old would be a better option than De Ligt.
‘Matthijs de Ligt is a good player, but when I look at Manchester United, I feel like they need a player who knows the Premier League,’ he told Paddy Power.
‘They had Raphael Varane from Real Madrid, and he didn’t work out, so if you have De Ligt coming into the side, he might take a little bit of time to settle, which is something that United can’t afford to do.
‘Jarrad Branthwaite is a top-class player and he’s going to be a future England international. I think he’s a top player and if I was in Manchester United’s position, he would be someone I would go for.’
