Man Utd target has 'desire' to join amid uncertain contract situation

Manchester United are gearing up for the start of the new Premier League season. They have the chance to bring in more players before the end of the transfer window later this month.

First up for Erik ten Hag’s side is a clash against Fulham at home on Friday 16th August. In the meantime though, they have a Community Shield clash against Manchester City. Here is a look at some of the latest news and rumours coming out of the club...

Right-back latest

Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries is ‘holding off’ new contract talks this summer amid his ‘desire’ to join United, according to a report by The Athletic. He sees his deal at the San Siro expire next year and the Serie A outfit risk losing him for nothing as things stand. They need to cash in on him now or in January if they can’t agree terms for an extension to ensure that they get a fee for him.

Dumfries, who is 28-years-old, started his career in his native Holland with spells at Sparta Rotterdam, Heerenveen and PSV before moving to Italy in 2021. He has since made 132 appearances for his current club in all competitions to date, chipping in with 11 goals, four of which came last term.

His long-term future is now up in the air and he is an option for the Red Devils as they hunt for more arrivals. He was part of his country’s squad for the recent Euro 2024 tournament in Germany but they were knocked out in the semi-final by England in the end after Ollie Watkins’ last-gasp winner.

In terms of his recent performance levels, Inter manager Simone Inzaghi said earlier this month, via TMW: “Dumfries did very well last year until December, then he had a problem and the last few months were not up to his standards, but at the European Championships we saw the usual Dumfries.”

Centre-back latest

Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt has made it clear that he wants to sign United in this window and has told people close to him that he is ‘very keen’ on the move, according to Football Insider. The report claims that talks between the parties involved are continuing at this moment in time.

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.

The 24-year-old could be seen by United as someone to bolster their backline. Leny Yoro has arrived in that area from Lille but with Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans not getting any younger, De Ligt could be ideal.