Manchester United open talks with Bayern Munich defender over summer switch: report
Manchester United are looking for a younger replacement for Raphael Varane and may have already found their man
![Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag looks on at Carrington.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zUxNGvtDt5S7yqPrbQfLF8-1200-80.jpg)
Manchester United are said to have opened talks with the representatives of a Bayern Munich defender.
Erik ten Hag is keen to bolster his defensive options heading into next season, with the Red Devils having lost Raphael Varane already this summer. Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof all remain at the club but struggled with individual injury problems throughout the 2023/24 campaign.
With the transfer window now open, a potential move for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has still not been ruled out, but it is thought Manchester United want to make more than one defensive addition ahead of the new term.
WATCH | Why Man United's Biggest Problem Is... Erik Ten Hag
According to Sky Sports in Germany, the Red Devils have already begun talks with Matthijs de Ligt over a summer move to Old Trafford. The 24-year-old has worked with Ten Hag previously at Ajax and both parties are working hard to make the deal happen.
De Ligt turned out 30 times for Bayern Munich last season but made just 16 starts in the Bundesliga. He was eventually ousted by Eric Dier by manager Thomas Tuchel, falling down the pecking order at the Allianz Arena.
The former Juventus man has enjoyed success wherever he has been, winning league titles in Holland, Italy and Germany so far and reports state he is ready for a new challenge at the Theatre of Dreams, with Ten Hag's men set to play Europa League football next year.
De Ligt has already been asked about his future at Euro 2024 but remained tight-lipped regarding a potential move away from Bayern. Speaking in a press conference, he said: “I've already said this is not the time for me to think about it.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
“We're playing at the Euros now and that's very important for me and the national team. That's why I can't say now what I think about this situation. But what I can say is that I've now played my second season at Bayern - I'm very happy. For now I'm focused on the Euros and then we'll see what happens."
More Manchester United stories
Manchester United want 'controversial' Euro 2024 star as first summer signing: report
INEOS Old Trafford? Manchester United could sell naming rights to stadium
What Ruud van Nistelrooy said about Erik ten Hag amid Manchester United return rumours
Matthew is a Freelance Journalist and has racked up bylines for Manchester United, Manchester Evening News, GOAL and SPORTbible to name a few. A long-term sufferer of Scunthorpe United, he currently resides in the north-west after escaping the smog of North Lincolnshire.
![Real Madrid earned a valuable victory over Manchester City in the Champions League just days ago](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kMJTbRq4LQF5g5qzUAWoCm-840-80.jpg)
Real Madrid star reveals all on proposed summer move to Manchester City
![Aston Villa defender Martin Keown in action during the FA Cup 4th Round match against Liverpool at Villa Park on January 31, 1988 in Birmingham, England](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sZgrns5JZe7UR3Q84xhSMn-840-80.jpg)
‘Brian Clough locked me in his office for three hours, gave my new wife flowers and chocolates, and told me I wasn’t leaving until I signed for Nottingham Forest’ Martin Keown discusses the grilling he got from Old Big ‘Ead’