Bayern Munich respond to Man United bid to sign Matthijs de Ligt after Lenny yoro transfer

Bayern Munich respond to Man United bid to sign Matthijs de Ligt after Lenny yoro transfer

Bayern Munich have rejected Manchester United’s opening bid for Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt, according to reports in Germany.

United are interested in signing the 24-year-old despite already bringing French centre-back Leny Yoro to Old Trafford this summer.

It is claimed United’s opening bid was worth just under £30m, around £15m short of Bayern’s valuation.

Manchester United remain in contact with the Bundesliga giants and are expected to return with an improved offer.

Bayern Munich spent more than £70m to sign De Ligt from Juventus in 2022 but the Dutchman has underwhelmed in Germany.

Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness talked up the possibility of Matthijs de Ligt moving to Manchester United over the weekend.

‘It’s possible that a defender will leave,’ Hoeness said. ‘De Ligt is Dutch, the coach at Manchester United is Dutch.

‘I would have no problem if he stays. Personally, I would not sell [Dayot] Upamecano.’

The Manchester United boss addressed speculation he was interested in signing De Ligt last week.

‘It remains to be seen whether De Ligt will come,’ Ten Hag told AD Sportwereld.

‘I know Matthijs well and I will not deny that. I wanted to sign him two years ago but at that time he was already very far along to join Bayern Munich but believe it or not, his name did not come from me in the process [at United].’

‘Matthijs de Ligt is a good player, but when I look at Manchester United, I feel like they need a player who knows the Premier League,’ he told Paddy Power.

‘They had Raphael Varane from Real Madrid, and he didn’t work out, so if you have de Ligt coming into the side, he might take a little bit of time to settle, which is something that United can’t afford to do.

‘Jarrad Branthwaite is a top class player and he’s going to be a future England international. I think he’s a top player and if I was in Manchester United’s position, he would be someone I would go for.’