Man United 'agree' £42.9m defender transfer as Erik ten Hag reunion close

The 24-year-old was a protege of current Red Devils boss during their successful stints at Ajax, where he shone during their run to the 2018-19 Champions League semi-finals.

A three-year spell at Juventus followed for De Ligt, who subsequently joined German giants Bayern in a £57.5m deal, but he has struggled to acclimatise to life in Munich.

The Netherlands international had been on the Red Devils' radar even before the club captured Leny Yoro from Lille, but they reignited their interest following the Frenchman's serious foot injury.

Despite being knocked back by Bayern on one occasion, The Athletic reports that Man United have now succeeded with a bid for De Ligt, who will cost the 20-time English champions a total of €50m (£42.9m).

De Ligt 'to sign five-year Man United contract'

The report claims that Bayern will receive an initial €45m (£38.6m) for the sale of the 24-year-old, with an additional €5m (£4.3m) available in performance-related bonuses.

Assuming that there are no issues discovered in De Ligt's medical, the defender will sign a five-year contract with Man United, who will also have a one-year extension option until 2030.

De Ligt will leave Bayern having recorded five goals and two assists in 73 matches for the club in all tournaments, although he was briefly out of favour under Thomas Tuchel in the 2023-24 campaign.

The ex-Ajax man was called up to the Netherlands' Euro 2024 squad, but he was an unused substitute throughout the tournament, as Ronald Koeman's men reached the semi-finals before losing to England.

De Ligt will reinforce the Red Devils' defensive ranks following the exits of Raphael Varane and Willy Kambwala, as well as Yoro's foot problem, which will sideline the ex-Lille man for around three months.

The Dutchman will compete with Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans and Lisandro Martinez for central starts at Old Trafford, although the former three are not thought to have long-term futures at the club.

What about Noussair Mazraoui?

As well as De Ligt, Man United boss Ten Hag is eyeing a second Ajax reunion with right-back Noussair Mazraoui, and a £17.2m package has apparently been separately agreed for the Moroccan's signature.

However, any more for Mazraoui hinges on Aaron Wan-Bissaka's proposed exit to West Ham United, who are also said to have shaken hands with Man United over a £15m agreement for the right-back.

Wan-Bissaka is supposedly set to undergo his West Ham medical on either Sunday or Monday, and once his expected switch to the London Stadium goes through, Mazraoui's path to Old Trafford will be clear.

The Red Devils have also added Joshua Zirkzee to their attacking ranks this summer and are looking to bolster their midfield amid links with Burnley's Sander Berge and Paris Saint-Germain's Manuel Ugarte.