Manchester United get Matthijs de Ligt transfer blow

ALLIANZ STADIUM, TURIN, ITALY - 2021/09/29: Matthijs de Ligt of Juventus FC celebrates victory after the UEFA Champions League 2021/22 Group Stage - Group H football match between Juventus FC and Chelsea FC at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.(Final score; Juventus FC1:0 Chelsea FC). (Photo by Fabrizio Carabelli/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
ALLIANZ STADIUM, TURIN, ITALY - 2021/09/29: Matthijs de Ligt of Juventus FC celebrates victory after the UEFA Champions League 2021/22 Group Stage - Group H football match between Juventus FC and Chelsea FC at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.(Final score; Juventus FC1:0 Chelsea FC). (Photo by Fabrizio Carabelli/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Despite signing Raphael Varane in the summer from Real Madrid, Manchester United continue to be linked with a series of centre-backs as their defence continues to struggle to keep the ball out of the net. One reason for that is the fact that the French World Cup winner has not had the effect that the club would have been hoping for, struggling with both injuries and form. The second is that those around him in the backline have struggled as well.

Thus, it would not be a surprise to see Manchester United sign another centre-back in the not too distant future as they continue to struggle to find a solution to their defensive problems.

Juventus’ Matthijs de Ligt is a player that they have been linked with in recent times as there is a feeling that the Dutch international could end up leaving the Serie A giants soon.

But as reported by la Repubblica (via Sport Witness), Barcelona and Bayern Munich are eyeing the Juventus defender but Chelsea are willing to go all out for De Ligt, who could be available for a €65 million transfer fee.

Manchester United handed De Ligt transfer blow

This is a transfer blow for Manchester United for sure. And they could find things even more difficult in the summer if they are unable to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Manchester United were expected to enjoy a tremendous season and compete for titles after bringing in superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Varane to Old Trafford in the summer. Unfortunately for them, things have turned out quite differently.

The club are out of the League Cup, pretty much out of the Premier League title race and the FA Cup represents their best hope of winning a trophy this season although they cannot be counted out when it comes to the Champions League either.