Bayern Munich had a fine balance regarding arrivals and departures last summer. They ended the transfer window with a positive net spend. Bayern have to follow the same approach this summer as they look to make big changes in the squad.
The Bavarian club needs to sell well this summer to have enough funds to sign new players. The squad overhaul started with the arrival of Hiroki Ito from VfB Stuttgart. The Japanese defender will be an astute option in central defense and left-back positions for Die Roten.
Bayern are looking to add Jonathan Tah to the squad to further strengthen the defense. They want to make space for these two signings by parting ways with Matthijs de Ligt. The plans for the Dutch defender’s departure from Munich have started as Manchester United seriously weighing up a move for him.
According to Sky Sports in Germany, Manchester United have opened talks with De Ligt to explore a transfer. The Premier League club has yet to contact Bayern, but there is a concrete interest in signing the Dutch defender.
De Ligt is open to joining Manchester United even though they are not playing in the Champions League next season. The Dutch international is content with life in Munich, but he doesn’t want to be the fourth or fifth-choice center-back in the squad. With the signings of Ito and Tah, De Ligt will be further down the pecking order.
Bayern want to part ways with De Ligt since his wages are high, and injuries in Hinrunde last season concern them. Die Roten will look to recoup the majority of €70 million they paid Juventus for him in 2022. However, Manchester United reportedly wants to pay only half of Die Roten’s valuation.
De Ligt doesn’t want to make a decision on his future now since he is focussing on the Euros with the Netherlands. The 24-year-old center-back will hold talks with Vincent Kompany and Bayern after the tournament and make a decision regarding a transfer. Considering the fact he has already welcomed talks with Manchester United, a departure from Munich is looking inevitable.
It is a pity that Bayern have to part ways with a player like De Ligt. The Dutch defender had injury problems in the first half of the season, but he bounced back brilliantly during Ruckrunde. He was Die Roten’s best defender in his debut season. However, Bayern need to trim the wage bill and make space for new signings. A move to Manchester United will benefit all parties.