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Manchester United target Matthijs de Ligt is reported to be at the “centre of a police investigation” over a car crash incident in Munich.
A report by German newspaper Bild, relayed by talkSPORT, reveals the 24-year-old defender is “investigated” by authorities over an alleged “car ramming incident”.
De Ligt is accused of “ramming a parked car” close to Bayern Munich’s training ground on Wednesday morning.
The report then claims the centre-back “simply drove away” with witnesses immediately reporting the incident to the police.
The Bayern star drives a £63,000 Audi Q8 e-tron which was reportedly “towed away and impounded” by police with the talkSPORT’s article contending the “Netherlands international [is] now thought to be facing possible criminal charges.”
De Ligt has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer with United locked in protracted negotiations with Bayern over a deal.
The Bundesliga club are holding out for a minimum fee of €50 million for their defender as they seek to generate funds to overhaul new manager Vincent Kompany’s squad.
United have tabled an a “joint bid” for De Ligt, as well as fellow Bayern defender Noussair Mazraoui, but it was rejected by Bayern with frustration from Old Trafford officials and the players’ representative at the Bavarians’ refusal to compromise.
United have agreed personal terms with De Ligt and Mazraoui on five-year deals and both players have communicated their desire to join the Red Devils to their current club.
The defensive duo have played previously under Erik ten Hag at Ajax who is reportedly keen for a reunion at Old Trafford as he seeks to improve his defensive unit. They enjoyed one of the most successful periods in the Dutch club’s recent history after having established themselves in the first-team having graduated from Ajax’s academy.
So far, however, talks over the moves have proved unfruitful; to such an extent United are reported to be “seriously considering ending negotiations” with Bayern as their refusal to budget on De Ligt’s valuation specifically is impeding the deal.
However, Fabrizio Romano reveals Old Trafford executives remain “confident” the transfer will go through this month. And while this latest development from Germany over De Ligt’s alleged legal troubles are far from ideal, they are unlikely to impede any potential transfer this summer.
