Like it or not, Bayern Munich, Matthijs de Ligt, Bayer Leverkusen, Jonathan Tah, and Manchester United are all intertwined at this point.
De Ligt, Bayern Munich’s most reliable center-back, has been linked to Manchester United and Tah, Bayer Leverkusen’s top central defender has been linked to Bayern Munich. It is a bizarre love triangle (pentagon?) of some sort, but things might be getting even weirder, per Sky Sports UK (as captured by @iMiaSanMia).
The Red Devils could actually be kicking the tires on Tah as well:
Manchester United have made a check on Jonathan Tah’s situation. Talks are at an advanced stage for Tah’s proposed move to Bayern – but nothing has been finalized yet.
Sky Sport Germany’s Florian Plettenberg backed up the report (via @iMiaSanMia):
Manchester United have enquired about Jonathan Tah in the past few days. United are aware of the fact that there’s no agreement between Bayern and Leverkusen for Tah. No final agreement between United and Bayern for Matthijs de Ligt either.
As long as Matthijs de Ligt hasn’t left the club, Bayern are very unlikely to finalize a deal for Jonathan Tah. There were no concrete negotiations between Bayern and Manchester United for the Dutchman in the past 72 hours. Bayern are still waiting for a concrete offer from United. De Ligt, still keen on joining United.
In addition to Tah, it does appears that Manchester United is also very close to a move for Lille’s Leny Yoro per Sky Sport journalist Florian Plettenberg:
Been told that Manchester United have offered Leny #Yoro a salary of around €7m gross + €2m possible bonus payments!
Contract until 2029 + 1 ready to sign after the medical. #MUFC ✍️
Yoro has decided to join @ManUtd over @realmadrid!
Manchester United, not willing to spend the €50m + add-ons demanded for Matthijs de Ligt at this stage. Therefore no final offer to Bayern yet … #MUFC
ManUtd also prioritized a transfer of Leny #Yoro for this reason. Now he’s on the verge to undergo his medical with @ManUtd as per @David_Ornstein.
Agreement between Lille and ManUtd was in place. He will probably sign a contract until 2029 + 1 as reported.
Well, this just got more complicated, but this does appear to the kind of rumor that might be powered by one of the interested parties trying to force a move. Manchester United? Tah? De Ligt? They all have something to gain from this leaking out.
Without a doubt, this transfer saga is going to be interesting to watch play out.