Matthijs de Ligt considers Bayern Munich move as step up
Bayern Munich was one of the winners from the summer transfer window. The Bavarian club managed to address key issues of the squad by bringing in some of the best players in Europe. Bayern also surprised their own fans by making some moves that looked unlikely at the start of the year.
The signing of Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus came as a big surprise for the Bavarian faithful. Die Roten swiftly reached an agreement with Juventus for the transfer fee in July, and de Ligt was on his way to the USA to join up with his new teammates.
The move for de Ligt came as a surprise since most of the German media outlets had suggested that a new center-back might not arrive this summer despite the departure of Niklas Sule. Die Roten missed out on targets, such as Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, that were available on free transfers. From chasing defenders on free transfers, Bayern ended up paying just over €70 million for de Ligt.
The Dutch defender has endured a mixed start to life in Bavaria. He has no regrets about the transfer despite not starting every game in Munich. While talking to NOS this week (via Goal), de Ligt insisted that a move to Bayern was a step up in his career largely due to the club’s ambitions in the Champions League.
"“For me it is a step up in terms of team.”“Juventus is a very good team. I just think that Bayern has everything in terms of selection and ambition to win the Champions League. I had the feeling that it was just a little less at Juve.”"
Bayern was heavily linked with a move for de Ligt in 2019, but they eventually signed Lucas Hernandez from Atletico Madrid. As soon as there was a chance of getting de Ligt this summer, Die Roten took decisive steps and saw off the competition from Chelsea to clinch the deal.
Matthijs de Ligt has not been the part of starting XI on a consistent basis this season as he continues to get used to a new club and league. The Dutch defender will play regularly once he settles down at Die Roten.
The Bavarian club has a very good group of central defenders in the current squad. Dayot Upamecano, Matthijs de Ligt, and Lucas Hernandez can heavily contribute to the club’s success in the present and future. Bayern is unlikely to sign another defender anytime soon unless one of these three players leaves.
dark. Next. Bayern chiefs want Nagelsmann to improve in four aspects
Want your voice heard? Join the Bayern Strikes team!
It has been an inconsistent campaign for the defensive unit at Bayern Munich until now. De Ligt and co will have to step up after the international break and bring an end to the club’s winless run of four games in the Bundesliga.