After the departure of David Alaba to Real Madrid, FC Bayern sorely lacked a defender last season. The Munich team now seems to have found this type of defender. Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus Turin. This is the state of the transfer poker.
Sadio Mané was probably only the first big name that the Munich team presented at Säbener Straße this summer. The Senegalese arrives in the Bavarian capital this Thursday and will train with the team for the first time on Friday, at 4pm. But the ex-Liverpooler was only the beginning of this transfer period. Now Matthijs de Ligt is to follow. The Juventus Turin centre-back is being considered as the new head of defence.
The 22-year-old still has a contract running until 2024, but has already signalled his desire to move to the Isar. The problem, as of now, is only the transfer fee. Around 80 million euros are on the table. For Chelsea FC, who are also interested in signing the Dutchman, this financial hurdle would be easier to overcome. However, de Ligt favours a commitment to FC Bayern.
Confidence and optimism
The negotiations will start soon. They could be tough and long. Nevertheless, the insiders at the German record champion are confident and optimistic that the transfer of the defender will work out. Cautiously, de Ligt is already being considered in the planning thoughts for the upcoming season.
The central defender is in any case exactly the type of player that Bayern missed in the past season after the departure of David Alaba to Real Madrid and urgently need. A communicative organiser who has the footballing quality to build up the game from deep. A defensive chief, in other words. In principle, Benjamin Pavard would also like to take on this role, but the Munich management does not currently trust any of the available defenders with this task. Basically, says board boss Oliver Kahn, “we are very satisfied with the quality in the centre. But we can improve on the points of leadership, volume and presence. “
Pavard’s variability is appreciated
That Pavard could envisage a move if de Ligt came is understandable. His goal of becoming a defensive leader at a top European club would probably have to be pursued elsewhere. But those responsible at FCB would like to keep him. Because the 2018 World Cup winner can defend flexibly – on the right and inside – in the back chain. The coaching team appreciates this variability. But de Ligt would be a starter. And that’s what it increasingly looks like.
