According to a report from David Ornstein of The Athletic (as captured by @iMiaSanMia), things are getting complicated between Bayern Munich and Manchester United when it comes to the transfer dealings involving defenders Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt.
Manchester United has submitted another set of bids, but those were rejected by the Bavarians:
Manchester United have submitted an opening double offer to sign Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui. The proposal was rejected and Bayern told United it will need a higher fee to reach an agreement. Talks ongoing.
There was optimism at United and among the players’ representatives that this offer would satisfy Bayern’s expectations. It has caused some bemusement in the camp of De Ligt and Mazraoui — represented by the same agent, Rafaela Pimenta — based on their understanding of what it would require to get a deal over the line.
Based on that information, it is safe to assume that Manchester United is still not close on meeting the financial demands of the Bavarians. However, this fact still remains the the Red Devils know it — which puts the leverage firmly in their court:
Bayern informed the pair before the summer market opened that neither were part of their plans and transfers should be sought, insisting the club would compromise to help the process.
The resistance United’s enquiries subsequently met led De Ligt and Mazraoui’s people to ask Bayern whether their stance on the center-back and full-back had changed, yet the position was reiterated. If that is the case, the longer the situation lasts the more financially costly it may become to Bayern — given their sizeable salaries.
This report backs up what we knew — Bayern Munich no longer wants or plans with De Ligt and Mazraoui, which also is a primary reason why any bidder would be crazy to just bid what Bayern Munich wants. The longer it drags on, the more desperate the Bavarians will be to make a sale of two players it does not even want.
At this point, any club will know that De Ligt and Mazraoui are not in the plans in Bavaria and would be silly to just meet the financial demands of Bayern Munich.
In short, what a mess…
Are you ready for a heat check on how things are going at Bayern Munich? We are. On the latest edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show (Season 4, Episode 2), we tackle how we’re feeling about the squad at the moment, the sticky situation surrounding the future of Joshua Kimmich, thoughts on the transfers situations of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, and a whole lot more. Check it out on Patreon, Spotify, or below: