Man Utd table contract offer for Matthijs de Ligt as they step up transfer talks with Bayern Munich over Netherlands defender

Erik ten Hag's second season at Manchester United did not go nearly as well as was hoped as the team struggled with multiple injuries throughout the campaign, especially in their already leaky defence. Following the departure of French World Cup winner Raphael Varane, the Red Devils have been on the hunt for a new centre-back and Ten Hag reportedly wants a reunion with yet another one of his former Ajax players in the form of De Ligt.

As per Dutch publication De Telegraaf, Manchester United's top brass are on the same boat as Ten Hag and have tabled an opening contract proposal for De Ligt in view of a summer move for the Dutchman. As per the report, De Ligt will be offered a five-year deal upon signing with the Red Devils with other details yet to be known. However, Sir Jim Ratcliffe's side will first have to deal with Bayern Munich over a transfer fee for the 24-year-old who has a valid contract with Der Rekordmeister until 2027.

De Ligt moved to Juventus in the summer of 2019 from Ajax for a reported fee of €85.5 million (£72.5m/$92m) following an extremely successful season captaining Ten Hag's De Godenzonen as they made a spectacular run into the Champions League semi-final and won the domestic double. He then made the move to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022. However, life hasn't been as kind to the 24-year-old since his exit from the Johan Cruijff ArenA as he has struggled for form and fitness.

The centre-back is currently plying his trade with Ronald Koeman's Netherlands side and will be in action in their last-16 clash against Romania on Tuesday, July 2.