Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui are joining Manchester United (Man Utd) from Bayern Munich. De Ligt, a Netherlands international center-back, is moving to Old Trafford for €50m (£42.7m), including €45m (£38.4m) up front and €5m (£4.3m) in bonuses.
Manchester United have finalized the transfers of defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich
De Ligt’s transfer costs €50m (£42.7m), including €45m (£38.4m) upfront and €5m (£4.3m) in add-ons. He will be available for Manchester United’s opening Premier League match against Fulham on Friday, as he was registered by midday Thursday.
The 24-year-old Dutch center-back has played 73 games and scored five goals in two seasons at Bayern after joining Juventus.
De Ligt also worked with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax, where they won the Eredivisie in 2019.
The defender, who has also won league titles with Juventus and Bayern, said: “As soon as I heard that Manchester United wanted me, I felt an excitement about the opportunity of a new challenge at such a historic club.”
“In the following conversations, I was impressed by the vision the football leadership set out and the role they saw for me.”
“Erik ten Hag shaped the early stages of my career, so he knows how to get the best out of me, and I cannot wait to work with him again.”
“I know what it takes to succeed at the highest level, and I’m determined to continue that record at this special club.”
De Ligt boosts United’s central defense after Raphael Varane’s departure. Summer signing Leny Yoro will miss up to three months with a foot injury from pre-season against Arsenal.
Full-back Mazraoui, 26, joins for €15m (£12.8m), with an extra €5m (£4.2m) possible in add-ons.
Mazraoui also played for Ten Hag at Ajax, winning three league titles and adding another title with Bayern.
The Morocco international has played 28 times for his country and reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup.
He has agreed to a four-year contract with a fifth-year option. He arrived the same day Manchester United announced Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s transfer to West Ham.
Mazraoui: Joining Utd feels amazing
“It’s an incredible feeling to be a Manchester United player, and I cannot wait to walk out at Old Trafford wearing the red shirt,” said Mazraoui.
“I know that I’m joining the club at an exciting time; everyone I’ve spoken to has the same ambition for us to win trophies together, and I can feel the determination to achieve that.”
Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth said: “Noussair is a dynamic, attacking full-back who can play on both the right and left side of the defense. His experience and versatility will make him an excellent addition to our squad.”
“Having already won a number of trophies in his career, we know that Noussair’s winning mentality will be a real asset to the group as we work together to deliver the success required of Manchester United.”
Why Manchester United pursued De Ligt and Mazraoui
De Ligt’s move to Old Trafford costs €45m (£38.5m), with an additional €5m (£4.2m) possible in add-ons. United sees it as a good deal for a young, highly experienced center-back who has been successful wherever he’s played.
The club sees Mazraoui as a young, versatile, dynamic full-back who excels defensively and offensively on either side.
With De Ligt’s arrival, United have now completed four significant signings before the season starts, significantly boosting the squad and addressing key positions.
United Shifts Focus to Midfield Recruitment
After Mazraoui and De Ligt arrive, United will focus on recruiting for the midfield.
However, any new signings will depend on the budget and player evaluations.
Discussions with Paris Saint-Germain about Manuel Ugarte are ongoing. Still, the French club has yet to announce its asking price.
United are being patient with just over two weeks left in the transfer window, knowing that PSG might need to sell and that the player is eager to move to Old Trafford.
Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana and Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat are also potential options.
United may need to sell to free up funds before making additional signings. So far, no one has made new offers for Scott McTominay, and the team now expects Casemiro to stay.
Due to budget constraints, United might need to sell a player to make more signings. There have been no new offers for Scott McTominay, and Casemiro will likely stay with the team.
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