Man Utd transfer target Matthijs de Ligt at the centre of a 'police investigation'

Manchester United target Matthijs de Ligt is the subject of a police investigation in Germany, according to reports.

The 24-year-old, who currently plays for Bayern Munich, has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford as Erik ten Hag looks to bolster his defence.

De Ligt missed parts of last season through injury, but was fully fit at Euro 2024 and has recently returned to Bayern to participate in the final stages of pre-season.

But German outlet BILD report that Bavarian police are investigating the Netherlands international over allegations of what the outlet has described as a 'hit-and-run' incident.

It is alleged that De Ligt 'rammed a parked car' close to the club's training ground on Wednesday morning, before then driving away.

The report claims that witnesses called police to inform them of the incident, and that De Ligt's car was later towed away and impounded.

A specialist lawyer, based in Munich, told BILD that the maximum penalty for a guilty hit-and-run verdict is up to three years in prison, but added: "Fines are often imposed when people are convicted of such crimes."

In the case of any hit-and-run verdict, it must also be proved that the accused committed a hit-and-run 'intentionally'.

It is added that police are examining the damage and refused to comment due to 'data protection reasons'.

SPORTbible has contacted Matthijs de Ligt's representatives for comment.

Meanwhile, in a slightly unprecedented move, Ten Hag publicly declared in July that he wanted to bring De Ligt to Manchester United, having managed him at Ajax.

He tried to bring him to Old Trafford shortly after becoming United boss in the summer of 2022, but the Dutchman joined Bayern instead.

Ten Hag told Dutch outlet AD: "It remains to be seen whether Matthijs de Ligt will come. I know him well.

"I wanted to sign him two years ago but, at that time, he was already very far along to join Bayern."