Man utd 'close in' on £17m transfer windfall to help fund £43m deal they are 'assured of' completing

Manchester United are reportedly set to close a big-money sale to help fund a key incoming deal. Erik ten Hag has welcomed his non international stars back to Carrington for pre-season, and the hard work towards peak fitness begins now, with pre-season fixtures, tours and plenty of hard work on the grass incoming.

Ten Hag was recently tied down to a new deal despite uncertainty over his future coming into the summer, but the deal comes with an obvious caveat that a repeat of last season’s efforts will almost certainly mean he doesn’t get to see the end of that deal.

But the Red Devils board want to see the Dutchman succeed, and while the club must tread carefully with Profit and Sustainability rules after big spending last summer, they will back Ten Hag in the transfer market this summer, with a number of areas likely to be strengthened.

One of those areas is centre-back, with United needing more quality and depth having allowed Raphael Varane to depart the club at the end of his contract. With that in mind, Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt is reportedly the main target after the Red Devils were priced out of a deal for Martin Branthwaite.

According to The Sunday Express, United are now zeroing in on De Ligt, who is reportedly available for £43million this summer. The report claims United know they can get a deal done for that figure, and that they are pushing on in a bid to wrap up negotiations, with the defender currently at Euro 2024 with the Netherlands, set to face England in the semi-finals.

Outgoing deal to help fund De Ligt transfer

Elsewhere, United are set to get a boost in their bid to fund the De Ligt deal thanks to a sale they are reportedly close to agreeing. According to The Athletic, the Red Devils are closing a deal to sell Donny van de Beek to La Liga club Girona, who will compete in the Champions League this coming season.

It’s reported that the deal is worth £17million in all, but £5million of that is said to be add-ons. Van de Beek has struggled to prove himself at Old Trafford after arriving in 2020, and he needs to move on in a bid to land regular football after spending the back end of last season with Eintracht Frankfurt.

Van de Beek appeared to be willing to move on earlier this year when he spoke to Ziggo Sport about a possible return to Ajax. he said: “Ajax has always been a special place for me, so we certainly cannot rule that out. At Ajax, the only thing matters: winning and becoming champions.

“Now European football and fifth place is the highest achievable after a turbulent year. It’s difficult now, but Ajax always bounces back. I have also had mixed years due to injuries. But now I’m looking forward again. If I keep working hard, I’m confident things will turn out fine. It is up to you to turn it around. I’m working on that. I am convinced of my own qualities. If I stay fit and keep working hard, I will definitely be fine.”

Van de Beek is now said to be discussing personal terms with Girona ahead of potentially securing a move to Spain.