Man Utd can hand Matthijs de Ligt ideal welcome present in 48 hours with transfer decision

Manchester United could immediately hand Matthijs de Ligt the perfect welcome present if they lure the Bayern Munich defender to Old Trafford this summer. De Ligt has reportedly been identified as a serious target, and United will be able to quickly make him feel at home if they go through with an expected transfer decision in the next 48 hours.

The 24-year-old has emerged as a potential replacement for Raphael Varane, who will become a free agent when his contract expires this weekend.

Brandon Williams and Anthony Martial will also leave United under the same circumstances, while Tom Heaton and Jonny Evans could join them.

Sofyan Amrabat is another player who is out of contract on Sunday night when his season-long loan from Fiorentina expires.

Despite a late-season resurgence, Amrabat is strongly expected to leave Old Trafford and return to Italy after his £8.5million temporary switch.

United have the option to sign the 27-year-old permanently for around £21m but appear to be searching elsewhere to bolster Erik ten Hag’s engine room this summer.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte has emerged as a leading midfield target as he prepares to depart just one year after joining from Sporting Lisbon in a £51m deal.

While the Uruguay international could represent a replacement for Casemiro rather than Amrabat, the latter’s future is in serious doubt, considering United haven’t yet triggered their buy option.

The Red Devils could confirm Amrabat’s exit as early as Monday night, by which point he will no longer be under contract at the club.

If, or when, the Moroccan leaves, he will leave behind the No. 4 shirt, which he inherited from Phil Jones after the defender’s retirement last summer.

De Ligt has donned the same number at Ajax, Juventus and Bayern, so it would undoubtedly be his first choice if he landed at Old Trafford in the coming weeks or months.

And United are bound to be happy to hand it over to the Dutchman – currently representing the Netherlands at Euro 2024 – considering Ten Hag would view him as a starter alongside Lisandro Martinez.

The No. 4 has been previously worn by several legendary United defenders, including Nemanja Vidic, Steve Bruce and Denis Irwin.

It remains to be seen whether De Ligt would be interested in a move, considering Bayern can offer Champions League football and a good chance of major silverware.

But he reportedly isn’t a prominent figure in Vincent Kompany’s plans at the Allianz Arena, which could fuel a transfer.