Man Utd submit De Ligt and Mazraoui transfer bid, but face rejection

The Athletic journalist David Ornstein: Manchester United have submitted an opening double offer to sign Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich.

The Old Trafford hierarchy want to bolster their ranks by landing both defenders and stepped up their pursuit on Thursday via a joint bid.

There was optimism at United and among the players’ representatives that this would satisfy Bayern’s expectations for squad members they deem surplus to requirements.

But the proposal was rejected and the Bundesliga side told their Premier League counterparts it will need a higher fee to reach an agreement, with talks ongoing.

If Manchester United pursue a deal for De Ligt it may require a Ten Hag tactical rethink

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.

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.