Manchester United keenly following situation of Bayern Munich defender

Bayern Munich will complete the first signing of the summer this week as they activate the release clause of VfB Stuttgart’s Hiroki Ito. The Japanese defender will sign a four-year contract with Bayern on Thursday. His release clause at Stuttgart is worth €30 million, which makes it a feasible transfer for Die Roten as they look to make multiple signings this summer.

The Bavarian club also remains in talks with Bayer Leverkusen for Jonathan Tah. The German international has already agreed personal terms with Bayern. Rekordmeister will look to get him on a cut-price deal since he has 12 months left on his contract at Bayer Leverkusen.

The arrival of two center-backs suggests Bayern will sell a couple of defenders. Matthijs de Ligt is the prime candidate for a sale at Die Roten. The Bavarian club is ready to listen to adequate offers for the Dutch defender. The future of de Ligt may well be in the Premier League.

According to Sky Sports in Germany, Manchester United are keeping a close eye on De Ligt’s situation at Bayern. The Red Devils will sign a center-back this summer after the departure of Raphael Varane. Erik ten Hag is a big admirer of De Ligt as they worked together at Ajax.

Bayern will look to recoup the majority of €70 million they paid for De Ligt two years ago. Manchester United will reportedly have a tight budget this summer after missing out on the Champions League. They may not meet Die Roten’s required transfer demands if they firm up their interest in De Ligt.

Paris Saint-Germain reportedly enquired about De Ligt in January. The French club may come back for him in the summer. There will be significant interest in the Dutch defender since he is only 24 and did well at Bayern in the last two years.

Bayern are open to listening to offers for De Ligt due to his enormous salary and injury concerns from last season. The Dutch defender missed a good chunk of Hinrunde due to several injuries. However, he bounced back in Ruckrunde and won a place back in the starting XI with his consistent performances.

It is a pity that De Ligt will leave Bayern this summer. He was tipped to be a leader in the defense at the club for several years. However, the club chiefs want to shake up the squad this summer after a trophyless campaign. De Ligt's sale can bring money to fund the squad overhaul at Die Roten.