Man Utd take giant step towards signing Euro 2024 star with 'contract agreed' following Erik ten Hag 'charm offensive' (an)

Manchester United have agreed personal terms with their top transfer target.

Manchester United are edging closer to completing their first major signing of the summer window after Erik ten Hag stepped up his so-called ‘charm offensive’.

Many expected a busy summer of recruitment when Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS completed their purchase of a minority stake in United – and it appears that suggestion will come true.

Ratcliffe and his team have prioritised strengthening four positions ahead of the 2024/25 campaign – a full-back, centre-back, central-midfielder and a striker.

So far, the club have been linked with numerous centre-back targets, including Jean-Clair Todibo, Jarrad Branthwaite and more recently, Lille defender Leny Yoro.

In fact, United’s bid of over €50 million [£42.2m] for the player was accepted by Ligue 1 side Lille on Tuesday, according to Fabrizio Romano, who says Yoro’s priority is Real Madrid.

Image credit: Getty

With all that being said, it appears another centre-back is closer than the rest to becoming a Manchester United player this summer.

That’s because the club have agreed personal terms with top transfer target Matthijs de Ligt, who is keen on a reunion with former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag.

That’s according to a report from The Mirror, who claim Bayern Munich want £42 million for the 24-year-old Netherlands international.

United, meanwhile, are optimistic that a deal can be done after Ten Hag spoke to De Ligt about his plans for the upcoming season at Old Trafford.

The Dutch defender, who hasn’t played a single game for his country at Euro 2024, is a big fan of Ten Hag.

Back in 2022, after Ten Hag made the switch to Manchester, De Ligt backed his old manager to succeed at Old Trafford.

“He is someone who loves his job and he loves to work,” said De Ligt. “He’s really into the details. This makes him a really good trainer.”

He added: “He has a lot of qualities (to succeed). He definitely improves players. He wants to do everything to make his team play better.”

United are also on the hunt for a new striker this summer. In fact, they are ‘edging closer’ to signing Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee, who is currently away on international duty with the Netherlands.

The 23-year-old has a release clause of £34 million in his contract with the Italian club.