Manchester United seriously considering £59.3m move for Cristiano Ronaldo

Manchester United are now seriously considering signing one centre-back this summer, but it will be expensive.

Of all the positions Manchester United need to strengthen this summer, arguably none is as important as centre-back, and one option is now being seriously considered.

There have been a number of factors that have fuelled interest in this option, with the latest being Jean-Clair Todibo. It looks like Ineos will have to fight a legal battle to open the door to this move.

Now, however, reports have emerged that Manchester United are seriously considering transferring the player earning £260,000. pounds a week and this is a player Erik ten Hag knows very well.

Photo: Maja Hitij – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

Manchester United are seriously considering signing Matthijs de Ligt this summer.

Despite obvious financial concerns, Matthijs de Ligt looks set to become a serious transfer target for United this summer.

According to renowned journalist David Ornstein, who reported that De Ligt is now a serious candidate to sign a contract this summer as Ineos looks to strengthen its defense.

Ornstein adds that there are no talks yet and it is not certain that the move will take place, but this summer the Dutchman is becoming an increasingly real option for the Red Devils.

Interestingly, he then adds that this move would be independent of the continued interest in Jarrad Branthwaite. This suggests that two centre-backs could be added to the team in the summer, something United could do.

Man Utd is seriously considering the transfer of Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich. There are no talks with the club or a transfer certain yet, but #FCBayern A central defender is becoming an increasingly viable option for #MUFC. Regardless of Jarrad Branthwaite’s continuing interest @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/dGlCa24TDI

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 28, 2024

See tweet

If Manchester United were to sign De Ligt, it would likely cost £59.3m, as Christian Falk suggested in his column for CaughtOffside. That being said, he added that United would only be willing to spend £29.6m, which doesn’t entirely mean we believe a deal is imminent.

De Ligt dreamed of being Cristiano Ronaldo and owned the Manchester United kit

De Ligt’s transfer has long been rumoured at Old Trafford since he broke through as a teenager at Ajax.

De Ligt recalled this in an interview quoted by the official Bundesliga website: “When we played football in the garden, I always wanted to be Cristiano Ronaldo.

“It was especially during his time with Manchester United. My first football shirt was also his from that era.”

His youthful love of United, as well as the fact that he is a favourite for Ten Hag, suggests that this is a move that would please many involved in the project.

However, he would have to win the support of a large part of the fans who would not necessarily be convinced.