Fabrizio Romano: Man Utd transfer 'movement' expected for Ajax academy graduates in double deal

Manchester United are expected to make some ‘movement’ in their pursuit of Bayern Munich pair Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui this week, according to reporter Fabrizio Romano. Erik ten Hag wants to lure the Ajax academy graduates to England this summer.

The Red Devils have the chance to bring in some more new faces before the end of the transfer window later this month. They kick-start the new Premier League season on Friday 16th August with a home clash against Fulham. In the meantime, they have a Community Shield clash against Manchester City up first.

United could see De Ligt, who is 24-years-old, as someone to bolster their defensive department. They have a void to fill following Raphael Varane’s exit at the end of the last campaign. As for Mazraoui, the 26-year-old would bolster their options at right-back. Aaron Wan-Bissaka may well be allowed to leave if he was to arrive at Old Trafford in the near future.

In this latest update regarding the duo, journalist Romano has said on his official YouTube channel (via Give Me Sport): “It's important to mention, also, in the next days, movement is expected at Manchester United. Because over the weekend, Manchester United, in conversations they had for two players, they've been very clear they will try again, bid again for Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui.

“After the approaches they already had weeks ago on the player side, because Manchester United have an agreement with Mazraoui, five-year contract with an option, have an agreement with Matthijs de Ligt, five-year contract with an option, both players want to go to United, we know that.”

De Ligt rose up through the ranks at Ajax and broke into their first-team as a youngster. The Holland international went on to make 117 appearances for the Eredivisie giants in all competitions and scored 13 goals from the back. Juventus lured him away from Amsterdam in 2019 and he spent three years in Italy, playing 117 games for the Serie A outfit as well. Bayern Munich then came calling a couple of years ago but his future in the Bundesliga is up in the air right now.

Mazraoui could also follow his teammate out of the exit door at the Allianz Arena if United can get their men. He also progressed up through the Ajax set-up and made his first-team debut for them in 2018.

He featured on 137 occasions for their senior team and helped them win the title three times. Bayern Munich lured him to Germany in 2022 and he has since made 55 outings, 29 of which came last term as they missed out on the title to Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen.

A change of scene could do both De Ligt and Mazraoui good. United finished 8th last season and need to do better next time around.

They would bolster their options in defence and are two players Ten Hag knows a lot about already with his Ajax connections. Time will tell whether they can land them.