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Manchester United’s pursuit of Matthijs de Ligt has received a major boost as Bayern Munich have been given an imminent deadline to find the funds to sign the Dutch international’s replacement.
A report by Bild, a national German newspapers, reveals Bayern’s pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah – the player the Bavarian side are looking to replace De Ligt’s role in Vincent Kompany’s squad – has been given a strict deadline of this weekend to complete.
Bayern have been trying to agree a deal with their Bundesliga rival to sign Tah this summer as they seek to overhaul their team after a disappointing campaign which saw them surrender the title to Leverkusen.
Officials at the Allianz Arena have agreed personal terms with Tah and the German international has internally communicated his desire to join Bayern.
However, Leverkusen are reported to have set a €30 million price tag for their defender; a request Bayern are unable to meet without first selling De Ligt as the club’s budget has been drained following big-money moves for the Premier League pair of Joao Palhinha (Fulham) and Michael Olise (Crystal Palace).
United have been locked in negotiations with Bayern over a move for De Ligt with the German club demanding a fee of at least €50 million for the 24-year-old centre-back.
In a similar fashion to Bayern and Tah, the Red Devils have also agreed personal terms with De Ligt who has communicated his wish to relocate to Old Trafford, and only Old Trafford, this summer.
However, United are also subject to a constrained transfer budget with deals for Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee having taken priority. As such, the club has also been seeking to sell existing stars to fund the pursuit of further recruits.
United have been seeking to drive the price for De Ligt down but, so far, Bayern have held firm in their valuation.
A report relayed by The Peoples Person yesterday revealed Old Trafford officials were “seriously considering ending negotiations” with frustration at the uncompromising approach by their German counterparts. Which is why this update by Bild that Leverkusen have set a deadline of Monday morning for Bayern’s pursuit of Tah will come as a major boost to United’s negotiating position for De Ligt.
“Things would have to change by the beginning of next week, otherwise Bayer could close the door to a transfer. Then Tah would stay – even at the risk of him leaving on a free transfer in 2025. Leverkusen would make an exception for defensive leader Tah in their personnel policy, which allows for top stars to be sold or extended one year before their contract expires,” the report states.
Bayern’s strong hand in talks with United over De Ligt’s future has just been dramatically weakened as they cannot afford to let a deal for Tah slip through their fingers; and they cannot agree a deal for the Leverkusen man without first finding one with the Red Devils.
Old Trafford looks set to welcome a new centre-back through its doors imminently, and with the Premier League opener against Fulham fast approaching, De Ligt’s arrival cannot come soon enough.
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