Man Utd receive significant Matthijs de Ligt boost after Bayern Munich 'find agreement' on transfer

Manchester United have received a boost in their pursuit of Matthijs de Ligt after Bayern Munich reached an agreement 'in principle' to sign one of their top defensive targets.

De Ligt has already agreed personal terms with United on a five-year contract, which include an option to extend by 12 months, according to The Athletic.

The 24-year-old defender, who has engaged in talks with Erik ten Hag this summer, is now waiting for both clubs reach an agreement on transfer fees.

United have held talks with Bayern for De Ligt but they have reportedly refused to meet the Bundesliga club's €50 million (£42m) asking price for the Netherlands international.

In fact, it was recently suggested that there was 'bemusement' in the camp of De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, another target, after Bayern turned down an opening double offer from Manchester United for the pair.

Now, it has emerged that Bayern have reached an agreement in principle with Bayer Leverkusen to sign centre-back Jonathan Tah.

That's according to Kicker, who suggest the transfer is believed to be worth in the region of around €25 million plus €5 million in performance-related additional payments.

But the report suggests Bayern cannot complete the signing of Tah until De Ligt is sold to Manchester United.

Bayern are still demanding a package of €50 million for the Dutch international but both clubs are still 'quite far apart' in terms of their transfer fee expectations.

The report states 'nothing will stand in the way of Tah's move to Munich' if Bayern and Manchester United reach an agreement for De Ligt.

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Erik ten Hag, meanwhile, has openly discussed United's ongoing pursuit of the defender.

"I know Matthijs well, of course, I'm not going to deny that," he told Dutch publication AD Sportwereld. "Two years ago I wanted to get him, but he was already very far along with Bayern Munich."

Ten Hag added: "We still have to wait and see whether De Ligt will come.