Matthijs de Ligt speaks out on Man Utd transfer links and Erik ten Hag

Matthijs de Ligt insists he is "focused" on Juventus, all-but ending any speculation linking him with a reunion with Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.

United boss Ten Hag is keen to reinforce his squad this summer after a dreadful campaign under predecessors Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick. At the back, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones are both set to depart the club, while Harry Maguire has struggled last season and Raphael Varane is still getting used to English football.

The new Old Trafford boss is believed to be an admirer of De Ligt after previously coaching him during his time at Ajax, with the centre-back a key part of the team that reached the Champions League semi-finals.

The 22-year-old, who has been heavily linked with a move away from the Allianz Stadium despite being under contract until 2024, has addressed all the speculation. "I look at the sporting project," he told NOS.

"Ending 4th in a row for two years in a row is not good enough - Juventus knows this too. So being Juventus, we have to make steps. I'm a Juventus player so I'm focused on that.

"There are talks ongoing between Juventus and me. Once the right moment arrives, I will decide to extend or look further."

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Earlier last month, Sky Sports Italy reported that Juve were in advanced talks over a contract extension that would tie him at the club until June 2026. Any club wishing to sway him away from Turin would have to trigger his current £103million release clause.

But that fee is expected to be lowered if he commits his future to the club, according to The Express however. De Ligt made the £67.5m switch from Ajax in 2019, and has gone on to make over 115 appearances for the Italian giants.

Meanwhile, United are said to be desperate to sign Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona