Matthijs de Ligt ‘gives green light to Man United move’

• Man United are in talks over the signing of Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt
• De Ligt previously worked with United boss Erik ten Hag at Ajax five years ago
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Matthijs de Ligt has reportedly given the green light to a Manchester United move this summer. 

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed that De Ligt has given his approval to the move after direct contacts between his camp and the Red Devils.

It’s also said that personal terms are not expected to be an issue, as his agent Rafaela Pimenta is only negotiating with the Red Devils. 

The Bayern Munich star has previously worked with Erik ten Hag when the pair were together at Dutch giants Ajax. 

United are now said to be in talks with the Bundesliga side over a deal structure.  

United have long been linked with the Dutchman, with reports earlier this week suggesting Ten Hag was ‘seriously considering a move’. 

A report from Dutch publication De Telegraaf, claimed that United had sent terms to De Ligt. 

The former Ajax star has been earmarked as one of United’s top defensive targets this summer, alongside Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Jean-Clair Todibo of Nice.

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, before joining Bayern Munich three years later. 

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Should the move be completed, De Ligt would join fellow ex-Ajax stars Antony, Donny van de Beek, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez and Andre Onana at Old Trafford.

Despite any move for De Ligt likely requiring a significant outlay, United’s pursuit of the former Juventus defender is not thought to affect their ongoing move for Branthwaite.

The club are currently in the process of preparing a second move for the Everton starlet after a £43m was knocked back by the Toffees.

Everton are believed to be holding out for a fee of closer to £70m for the 21-year-old who enjoyed a breakout campaign last term.

Manchester United have already lost Raphael Varane this summer, with Victor Lindelof’s future at the club also uncertain.

The Red Devils conceded as many goals as they scored last term, so improvements in defence are seen as a necessary requirement this summer. 

The latest update surrounding the 24-year-old came just over an hour before De Ligt’s Netherlands face Romania in the last-16 of Euro 2024. 

However, he was left on the bench with Netherlands continuing to pick Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk alongside Inter Milan’s Stefan de Vrij.