MAN UTD hope to land De Ligt
The Mirror reports that Manchester United are optimistic over their chances of signing Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich.
The Dutch central defender is rated at £43 million, and manager Erik ten Hag has already been in touch.
The paper explains: “Manchester United are confident of signing Matthijs de Ligt in a deal worth around £43 million after manager Erik ten Hag stepped up his charm offensive to take the Bayern Munich defender to Old Trafford.
“Ten Hag has spoken to the Dutch centre-back to outline his plans for United following the club’s decision to trigger a one-year contract extension clause that means the 54-year-old will be in charge for the next two seasons. It’s hardly a ringing endorsement for Ten Hag by new United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe following a prolonged search for a potential successor.
“But Ten Hag had already told De Ligt that his job was safe when they discussed how the 24-year-old will be the defensive rock on which he will continue to develop his United team – and the former Ajax star is now determined to force through the move after the Euros.
“Bayern do not want to lose the 24-year-old – and fans have launched a petition in a bid to persuade him to stay. It has already been signed by more than 16,000 supporters. But the Bundesliga club will not stand in his way if United meet their valuation.”
Van de Beek set for La Liga move
Donny van de Beek appears set to sign for La Liga side Girona on a cut-price deal.
£430,000 is said to be enough to land the 27-year-old Dutchman after years of toil at Old Trafford.
The Daily Express relays reports from abroad, explaining: “Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek is reportedly set to complete a permanent move to La Liga side Girona, with the operation set to cost just £430,000 in total.
“Van de Beek arrived at Old Trafford four years ago with much promise, having played a key role in Ajax’s run to the Champions League semi-final, but failed to live up to that expectation and also had unsuccessful loan spells with Everton and Eintracht Frankfurt.
“He spent the second half of last season with the Bundesliga club, who had a purchase option of £8.5m but decided against taking that up, instead Girona have moved to secure a cut-price deal.
“Girona, who secured Champions League football through a third-placed finish in La Liga last season, believe that Van de Beek is ‘recoverable’ after a disappointing few years in England. He is said to complete a move ‘if nothing goes wrong’ and will link up with another former United and Holland star in Daley Blind.”
