Matthijs de Ligt, the once-celebrated "Golden Boy" of European football, has had a rollercoaster career since leaving Ajax. Despite winning a Bundesliga title and earning a place in the league's Best XI with Bayern Munich, the Dutch defender has struggled to find consistent form and happiness at the club. Last season, de Ligt found himself mostly on the bench, as coach Thomas Tuchel preferred the center-back pairing of Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae.
The arrival of Vincent Kompany as Bayern's new coach was initially seen as a potential turning point for de Ligt. However, Kompany's preference for ball-playing center-backs, such as Upamecano, and his reluctance to trust de Ligt's distribution skills have left the Dutchman out of favor. With Bayern reportedly eager to offload de Ligt, his future at the club appears bleak.
De Ligt's impressive statistics from previous seasons, including high passing accuracy and solid defensive contributions, are not enough to secure his place in the starting lineup. Criticisms from football legends like Marco van Basten, who suggested de Ligt hasn't learned the defensive nuances required in top-tier football, have only added to the pressure.
Bayern's decision to part ways with de Ligt seems driven by both tactical considerations and financial pragmatism. The club has reportedly set a transfer fee of €50 million for the defender, a significant drop from his current market value of €65 million. This has sparked frustration among Bayern fans, who see de Ligt as a potential future captain and a world-class talent.
Meanwhile, Manchester United has emerged as a potential destination for de Ligt, with reports indicating that the club has made multiple offers, the latest being €35 million. The transfer talks seem to have stalled, with both clubs waiting for the other to make the next move. De Ligt's desire to reunite with former Ajax coach Erik ten Hag at United is evident, but the financial aspects of the deal remain a sticking point.
At 24, de Ligt finds himself at a career crossroads. Once hailed as a future star, his journey through Ajax, Juventus, and Bayern Munich has been anything but smooth. With his career momentum in jeopardy, a move to Manchester United could provide the fresh start he needs, under a coach who believes in his potential.
As the transfer saga unfolds, de Ligt remains hopeful for a resolution that will allow him to continue developing his career at the highest level. Whether this means staying at Bayern, moving to United, or another club stepping in, only time will tell.
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