(Football news) Former Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt has completed a permanent transfer to Bayern Munich as the Dutchman brings the curtain down on his three-year stint in Italy to join Julian Nagelsmann at Allianz Arena. He will join the squad ahead of their 2022-23 season opener next month. Bayern have brought in one of the most highly-rated centre-backs in Europe, he leaves Juve after becoming a Serie A and Coppa Italia winner. Bayern have agreed an initial fee of €67 million (£57m) for De Ligt, with €10m (£8.5m) in add-ons if certain performance and commercial-related clauses are met.
De Ligt has put pen to paper on a five-year contract at Bayern, which will see him at the club through to the end of the 2026-27 season. De Ligt has become Bayern's fourth summer transfer signing this season, with Sadio Mane, Ryan Gravenberch and Noussair Mazraoui joining on permanent deals. The Bundesliga giants however, have seen top scorer Robert Lewandowski depart for Barcelona, and it has been suggested that they will try to sign a similar sort of striker by the end of the transfer news.
Tottenham's Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo had both been mooted as potential targets, but Bayern have publicly distanced themselves from the duo, while they are showing an interest in Napoli's starman Victor Osimhen. Bayern Munich are certainly keen on Rennes teenager Mathys Tel, though it has been reported that the French club have rejected two offers from Bayern, with a fee of around €25m (£21m) likely required to get the deal over the line. According to German reports, Bayern also seek midfield reinforcements that are required before the window shuts, with Nagelsmann keen to bring in Konrad Laimer, who he coached during his time at RB Leipzig.
De Ligt’s arrival follows that of Sadio Mane from Liverpool as Bayern embark on a new era post Lewandowski. Bayern have signed a terrific player as De Ligt joined the Ajax academy at nine years of age, he made his debut for the Dutch champions at 17. He later on went onto became their youngest ever captain, and in 2019 after 117 appearances and 13 goals along with the league and cup double he subsequently moved to Juventus. At Juventus he earned more silverware, with a Serie A title, an Italian cup and Super Cup. At the international stage he was Netherlands' youngest debutant since 1945, and has since gone on to earn 38 caps for his national side as he has scored twice for his nation.
De Ligt said he had been won over by Bayern's approach. "I felt genuine appreciation from the sporting management, the coach and the board right from the start, which convinced me,"
He said in a press statement issued by the buying club. " On top of that, FC Bayern is a brilliantly run club with big aims. I'm very glad that I'm now becoming part of the FC Bayern story."
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