According to reports in Germany, Bayern Munich will demand a €50 million (£42 million) transfer fee from Manchester United for Matthijs de Ligt.
Joined have made the marking of another middle back one of their needs for the late spring move window following the flight of Raphael Varane.
One of United’s top candidates is Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, but their initial offer of £45 million was turned down this week.
According to Sky Germany, De Ligt is an alternative option for United, and the Premier League club have begun internal discussions over a move for the Netherlands international, who played under Erik ten Hag at Ajax.
If a deal for Branthwaite proves to be too expensive, United are ready to walk away from the situation.
Everton are holding out for a fee in excess of £70 million for the 21-year-old player.
De Ligt, who joined Bayern Munich in a deal worth €77 million (£65.6 million) from Ajax in July 2022, is willing to leave the club this summer for a fee of €50 million (£42 million).
Due to injury, De Ligt played only 16 Bundesliga games.
The 24-year-old is currently training with the Netherlands national team ahead of Sunday’s opening match of the Euro 2024 group stage against Poland.
Ronald Koeman’s side will likewise play France and Austria in Gathering D. De Ligt responded this week when asked about his future at Bayern: “I’ve already said this is not the time for me to think about it.”
‘We’re playing at the Euros now and that is vital for myself and the public group.
That is the reason I can’t say now my thought process regarding what is happening.
‘Yet, what I can say is that I’ve currently played my second season at Bayern – I’m exceptionally blissful.
I’m concentrating on the Euros at the moment, and then we’ll see what happens.’
