Bayern defender may not be on the way out despite being free to leave

It has been reported on several occasions that the Dutch central defender was keen on a reunion with former Ajax manager and compatriot Erik Ten Hag in Manchester. De Ligt turned down United back in 2019 to join Juventus, where he played for three seasons before joining Bayern back in the summer of 2022.

The Bayern number 4 had an impressive first season in Bavaria, but found game time harder and harder to come by last season, before establishing himself in the team in the second half of the campaign. He did show signs during the Champions League knockout stage of why there was so much hype around him all those years ago.

With Eric Dier, Dayot Upamecano, Kim-Min Jae, and new signing Hiroko Ito (who can also play left-back) at the club, De Ligt could well be right down the pecking order once again this coming season. Bayern are also very interested in Bayer Leverkusen central defender Jonathan Tah, although you feel they will only pursue a move for him if de Ligt leaves the club.

There haven’t really been reports of other clubs showing interested in De Ligt this summer, so assuming they decide not to come in for him after the signing of Yoro, it is difficult to know exactly where what the future holds for him.

Of course, he could find himself higher up in the pecking order once the season gets underway. A former central defender himself, Vincent Kompany may be keen to help unlock the potential of De Ligt, and give him regular game-time.