- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Premier League giants Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are being kept informed about Matthijs de Ligt’s situation at Bayern Munich with the Dutchman’s future potentially depending on that of Thomas Tuchel at the Allianz Arena.
HITC Football understands that the £68 million signing from Juventus is not happy with how things are going for him in Germany, having seemingly dropped to fourth-choice in Thomas Tuchel’s defensive pecking order.
Matthijs De Ligt had already found himself stuck behind Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-Jae. And, with the latter unavailable following the Asian Cup, it was January signing Eric Dier who was chosen ahead of him for Saturday’s 3-0 pummelling by title-rivals Bayer Leverkusen, one of a number of tactical decisions which were the subject of much debate following Bayern’s most humiliating domestic defeat in years.
Matthijs de Ligt unhappy at Bayern Munich
HITC has been informed that a number of English clubs – including Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United – are now being kept informed of the situation. De Ligt’s representatives are putting in the requisite groundwork ahead of a potential summer exit, though a rather fluid situation could change quickly if Bayern opt to part with the increasingly under-pressure Tuchel.
A new coach in Bavaria could see a new start for De Ligt.
Still only 24, there is plenty of time left for the Dutch international to fulfil the potential he showcased while captaining Ajax to within a Lucas Moura hat-trick of the Champions League final back in 2019.
Then again, an underwhelming spell at Juventus, followed by a tough time at Bayern Munich, means De Ligt may have a point to prove if he ends up joining another A-list European club for another considerable sum.
Premier League clubs watching closely
Interestingly, it was Erik ten Hag – the current Man United boss – who handed De Ligt the armband at Ajax while still a teenager. Arsenal, meanwhile, are open to the idea of adding some extra defensive depth to Mikel Arteta’s ranks, with Jurrien Timber – another Ajax graduate – enduring an injury-ruined debut season in England.
Liverpool are eyeing up centre-halves too, though HITC understands that a left-footer is high on the club’s summer wishlist. De Ligt, more comfortable on his right, may not be the priority, then, at a time in which southpaws Piero Hincapie, David Hancko and Levi Colwill are being considered.
HITC understands Liverpool watched Leverkusen’s Hincapie in that Bayern clash.
The post Sources: Liverpool and Arsenal on alert with £68m star unhappy at current club appeared first on HITC.
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