Manchester United target Matthijs de Ligt at centre of police investigation, reports say
Manchester United target Matthijs de Ligt is reportedly being investigated by German police over an alleged “ramming incident”.
The Dutch defender, who has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer, was left out of the Bayern Munich called up for their pre-season tour of South Korea amid interest from the Red Devils.
According to the German media IMAGEDe Ligt is accused of “ramping into a parked car” near Bayern's training ground in Sabener Strasse on Wednesday morning while driving his £63,000 Audi Q8 e-tron.
The report says the defender “simply walked away” from the scene while witnesses immediately called the police to report what happened.
De Ligt's car has reportedly been towed away and impounded, and the Dutch international is now believed to be facing possible criminal charges.
United boss Erik the Hag He worked with De Ligt at Ajax and previously showed interest in the 24-year-old, who spent three seasons in Serie A at Juventus.
“It remains to be seen whether De Ligt will come, I know him well,” Ten Hag told Dutch media in July.
The United boss previously said: “I wanted to sign him two years ago but at that point he was too far gone to join Bayern. Believe it or not, his name didn't come up in the process.”
“During my vacation I was three or four weeks out of the process. During that period it was really the club, the newly equipped scouting and recruitment department, that brought these players in.
“The fact that there are also Dutch players among them is a coincidence. First of all, these are players who have been proposed by our organisation. But of course I support it, let's be clear. And in any case, we make the choice together.”
News of the alleged incident comes at an uncertain time in De Ligt's playing career, having fallen down the pecking order under new manager Vincent Kompany.
Bayern have shelled out an initial £59.5m to sign the highly-rated Juventus defender in 2022.
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De Ligt has played under three different coaches during that time and, after a bright start in Bavaria, has failed to regain his best form.
United remain potential suitors for De Ligt after cooling their interest in Everton's Jarrod Branthwaite following the latter's assessment of the England star.
The Old Trafford club have already signalled their intention to make a double move for the Bundesliga giants and Ten Hag is also keen on adding De Ligt's team-mate Noussair Mazraoui.
According to The Athletic, an initial offer for both players was rejected by Bayern, who are hoping for a higher fee.
De Ligt was part of Ten Hag's brilliant Ajax side that reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.
