---
title: "Manchester United: Red Devils hold talks for Matthijs de Ligt"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-transfer-news-talks-matthijs-de-ligt/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Manchester United News"
published: "2022-06-22T16:45:56Z"
modified: "2022-06-22T16:45:56Z"
---

# Manchester United: Red Devils hold talks for Matthijs de Ligt

**[Manchester United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-transfer-rumours/) have taken ‘concrete steps’ to sign Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt, according to [Calciomercato](https://www.calciomercato.it/2022/06/21/calciomercato-juventus-de-ligt-manchester-united-city-rinnovo/).**

### The Lowdown: De Ligt at Juventus

The Netherlands international has been on the books in Turin since 2019 after leaving Ajax in a deal worth [£76.95m](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/matthijs-de-ligt/transfers/spieler/326031). Still just 22 years of age, the centre-back has made [117](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/matthijs-de-ligt/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/326031) appearances for Juventus, winning [three](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/matthijs-de-ligt/erfolge/spieler/326031) trophies.

Italian football expert [Carlo Garganese](https://twitter.com/carlogarganese/status/1279444999210438659) described De Ligt as an ‘absolute monster’, and as the centre-back enters the final two years of his contract, it looks as if a summer exit could be on the cards.

### The Latest: Talks held

[Calciomercato](https://www.calciomercato.it/2022/06/21/calciomercato-juventus-de-ligt-manchester-united-city-rinnovo/) shared an update on Tuesday afternoon regarding De Ligt.

They claimed that both United and their rivals Manchester City have taken ‘concrete steps with the player’s entourage’ but are yet to make an official offer. Juventus would want at least €70m (£60m) to part ways with the centre-back.

[Latest Man Utd news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-man-utd-news-3/)

### The Verdict: Help with De Jong move?

United’s [priority](https://twitter.com/david_ornstein/status/1536706343003901962?s=21&t=LYHH_GFDaU6In-j1Y8QJDw) target is still Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who is [close friends](https://tribuna.com/en/news/fcbarcelona-2020-03-06-new-picture-of-de-jong-and-de-ligt-proves-they-are-inseparable/) with De Ligt, especially during their time at Ajax.

A move for De Ligt could well help United in their pursuit of De Jong, and signing the duo could be a masterstroke by Erik ten Hag.

\[freshpress-poll id=”393955″\]

He knows how to get the best out of the pair, and with former Red Devils goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar [likening](https://www.transfermarketweb.com/serie-a/serie-a-compliments-to-de-ligt-reminds-me-of-cristiano-ronaldo-223966) De Ligt to Cristiano Ronaldo for his mentality and application in the gym, a move for the defender could be just as important as any potential swoop for his midfield compatriot.

Considering that United conceded [57](https://www.premierleague.com/tables?co=1&se=418&ha=-1) goals in 38 Premier League games last season, strenghtening at the back is a must for Ten Hag this summer.