Matthijs de Ligt gives green light to Man United move with the Red Devils and Bayern Munich in talks over a switch for the Netherlands defender – and could make another bid for Everton’s Jarrrad Branthwaite

Matthijs de Ligt has indicated that he wants to move to Manchester United – and the club could sign a second centre-back this summer by making a new bid for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.

De Ligt, who was in Holland’s squad for the Euro 2024 victory over Romania, is keen to work with his old Ajax boss Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.

United are ready to offer De Ligt, 24, a five-year contract if they can strike a deal for £42m including add-ons with Bayern Munich, who need the money to sign Jonathan Tah from Bayer Leverkusen as his replacement.

United want De Ligt to play on the right side of central defence and have not given up hope of signing Branthwaite to play alongside him on the left if they can sell players to raise the funds.

An opening bid of £38m plus £5m in add-ons was rejected by Everton who don’t want to sell the 22-year-old but could be forced to listen to offers in the region of £70m.

It comes after reports earlier this week that United offered him a five-year deal at the club

De Ligt starred for Ten Hag’s Ajax side before leaving the club to join Juventus in 2019

United are unlikely to go that high but are weighing up an improved offer for Branthwaite who is understood to have grown increasingly agitated over the lack of movement in negotiations.

However, United are expected to step up their transfer business now Dan Ashworth has been cleared to start work as sporting director as they look to bring in a striker and defensive midfielder as well.

Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee, who has a £34m buyout clause, is the No.1 striker target while Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte is among the midfield options being considered.

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. 

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.

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.