Man Utd 'in talks' with Bayern Munich over Matthijs de Ligt - asking price revealed | OneFootball

Manchester United and Bayern Munich are in formal talks over the potential transfer of Matthijs de Ligt, who is valued by the Bundesliga giants at €50m (£42m), according to reports.

Both clubs are looking to rejuvenate their back lines after poor seasons, with Bayern already recruiting Hiroki Ito from Stuttgart and looking to strike a deal for Bayer Leverkusen's Jonathan Tah.

De Ligt is expected to be allowed to leave Bayern for the right price - they have also have Dayot Upamecano, Kim min-jae and Lucas Hernandez on their books - and Sky Sports Germany claim the six-time European Cup/Champions League will entertain offers of €50m for the Dutchman.

The Athletic report that 'formal talks' have now been opened between the German side and United over a possible deal, although no bid has been submitted at this point.

Crucially, Bayern's asking price is below the £70m Everton are demanding for another target, Jarrad Branthwaite. United have already seen a bid worth over £40m knocked back for the Toffees star.

United boss Erik ten Hag, who worked with De Ligt during the pair's time at Ajax, is believed to be keen on a reunion, but club officials have been tracking the Dutch defender since before Ten Hag's switch to Old Trafford.

De Ligt is away with the Netherlands at Euro 2024 / Soccrates Images/GettyImages

United have already spoken to De Ligt's representatives to get an idea of what it would take to secure his signature.

De Telegraaf state De Ligt has already had several phone calls with Ten Hag over a possible move to United, where a five-year contract would be on the table for the 24-year-old.

An agreement over personal terms is expected to be reached, although whether United will be able to afford to meet Bayern's demands over a transfer fee remains to be seen.

United's summer transfer budget is believed to sit below the £40m mark, with new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS instead looking to raise further spending money by authorising over £100m of sales.

Among those up for sale are Jadon Sancho, Mason Greenwood and Casemiro, but doubts remain over a whole host of United players.