As Bayern Munich close in on their first signing of the summer in the form of Fulham’s Joao Palhinha, their attention will then quickly switch to potential outgoings.
The Bundesliga powerhouses will welcome Palhinha to the Allianz in the upcoming window, assuming everything goes according to plan in the days ahead. Palhinha’s move was not approved on deadline day in September of last year.
The midfield player had already taken a one-way flight to Munich and even went so far as to finish his media obligations there before having to return to London in order to play a crucial part in the Cottagers’ 2023–2024 campaign.
However, the Bavarians are willing to pay €45 million (£38 million) to recruit the Portugal star this time around. The board will then attempt to recover money by approving player departures.
Another ex-Ajax representative at Old Trafford?
Matthijs de Ligt, a former Erik ten Hag protegee, is one Bayern player who is thought to have been declared surplus to requirements (Florian Plettenberg).
He was left fighting for a starting position after Eric Dier joined the team on loan in the winter. It’s common knowledge that Ten Hag frequently prefers moves for players he knows something about, whether it’s from his time as an Ajax player or even earlier on.
The Dutchman coached Antony, Lisandro Martinez, and Andre Onana during their time in Amsterdam. He might be hoping to get back again with the player who led his team to the Champions League semifinals in 2019 and a domestic double at the tender age of 19.
It’s unclear if United would pick up the chase again, especially because it would likely depend on Ten Hag continuing in the dugout. The last time they were connected to De Ligt was in January of this year. But Sir Jim Ratcliffe and company are determined to add at least one centre back during the transfer season, so it wouldn’t be shocking if his name was taken into consideration.
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