Manchester United have struck a blockbuster £60million agreement to sign Bayern Munich defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, according to reports. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is also set to join West Ham United in a separate £15m deal as part of a major defensive shake-up.
INEOS have been working in the background to add to Erik ten Hag’s squad after a series of pre-season injuries raised concerns over a repeat of last term’s destructive availability problems.
And United look set to bolster their defensive depth ahead of next Friday’s Premier League curtain-raiser against Fulham at Old Trafford.
According to The Athletic, United have agreed a deal worth an initial £39m plus £4m in add-ons for De Ligt.
The 24-year-old centre-back is set to undergo a medical at Carrington before putting pen to paper on a five-year contract that will include the option to extend by a further 12 months.
It’s claimed that Bayern have accepted a second bid in the region of £13m plus £4m in add-ons for Mazraoui, who will follow De Ligt through the arrivals suite once Wan-Bissaka departs.
The report adds that West Ham have struck a £15m deal for the United right-back and are currently discussing the length of his contract.
Wan-Bissaka’s medical is said to be scheduled for Sunday or Monday ahead of becoming Julen Lopetegui’s eighth summer signing.
De Ligt’s arrival covers a problem position for United since the start of last season due to relentless injury woes.
Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans were Ten Hag’s only available centre-backs for Saturday’s Community Shield clash against Manchester City at Wembley.
Leny Yoro, who joined from Lille earlier this summer in a £59m deal, is sidelined for around three months after breaking his foot during a pre-season match against Arsenal.
Victor Lindelof is also out of action. However, there have been suggestions that he could be nearing the exit door, and the addition of De Ligt could accelerate that process.
The inevitable captures of De Ligt and Mazraoui will bump United’s summer spending up to £155.5m across four signings.
Wan-Bissaka is set to become the fifth senior player to depart Old Trafford, following Alvaro Fernandez, Willy Kambwala, Donny van de Beek and Mason Greenwood.
Once he completes his switch to West Ham, United will have accumulated £63m from player sales, totalling their current net spend at £92.5m.
The Red Devils could now turn their attention towards strengthening Ten Hag’s midfielder. However, any further deals could rely on one of Scott McTominay or Casemiro making way.