Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt has now revealed where he ‘hopes’ to be playing next season, amidst transfer interest from Arsenal and Manchester United.
The 24-year-old has emerged as a valuable option for the Gunners and Red Devils with Mikel Arteta and Erik ten Hag studying defensive reinforcements. Arteta thinks Arsenal can further strengthen the Premier League’s best unit having only conceded 24 goals so far this season.
Ten Hag has also set his sights on a reunion with De Ligt after regularly rotating their centre-backs. While William Saliba has started in Arsenal’s 28 Premier League games and Gabriel Magalhaes has started in 24, Raphael Varane has started Manchester United’s most with 14.
Manchester United lead Arsenal for Matthijs de Ligt’s transfer
De Ligt also only regained an essential presence at Bayern Munich following the Bundesliga’s winter break. Thomas Tuchel has started the Dutchman in nine of their 11 German top-flight games since the pause. De Ligt had only started in three of his previous eight appearances.
Failing to hold onto a pivotal role before the winter sparked reports from Florian Plettenberg that De Ligt was not 100% satisfied at Bayern Munich. The 43-cap Netherlands enforcer was also considering his long-term future, just 18 months after joining from Juventus for £65.5m.
Further reports by Football Transfers in February also noted that Manchester United were in pole position to sign De Ligt over Arsenal. The Old Trafford natives moved to the front of the queue after holding talks with his representatives on multiple occasions, unlike the Gunners.
Matthijs de Ligt opens up on his future with Bayern Munich
Arsenal are yet to open talks with De Ligt’s camp about a transfer from Bayern Munich. But the Gunners have held internal discussions at Emirates Stadium about the suitability of the Leiderdorp native for Arteta’s squad. Any move would also see them rival Ten Hag’s desires.
De Ligt, though, has now admitted that he hopes to be playing for Bayern Munich next term alongside Jamal Musiala. The German maestro has also faced an uncertain future in Bavaria of late. But De Ligt doubts either player will be leaving the Allianz Arena over the off-season.
“Where to go? On holiday?,” De Ligt joked, via quotes by Bavarian Football Works. “But no, I don’t think so. I hope for us, and for Bayern, that we’ll both stay. That’s what I’m assuming.”