Manchester United’s Transfer Target Matthijs de Ligt Under Scrutiny After Suspected Hit-and-Run in Munich

In an unexpected twist, Matthijs de Ligt, a key target for Manchester United, is currently under investigation by German police for a suspected hit-and-run incident.

The drama unfolded when the 24-year-old centre-back was reportedly involved in a collision with a parked car near Bayern Munich’s Sabener Strasse training ground on Wednesday morning.

Driving his Audi Q8 e-tron, valued at around £63,000 (€74,400), De Ligt allegedly hit the vehicle and then drove away from the scene. Witnesses promptly called the police, who later towed and impounded De Ligt’s car.

According to Munich-based lawyer Marc Wederhake, if found guilty, De Ligt could face a maximum penalty of three years in prison or a hefty fine. “Fines are common for such offenses, but a prison sentence is also a possibility,” Wederhake told BILD.

Katharina Thueuerkaufer, a specialist in criminal and traffic law, emphasized that for a hit-and-run charge to stick, it must be proven that De Ligt was aware of the accident, whether by sight, sound, or feel.

As Manchester United looks to strengthen their defense, De Ligt has emerged as a prominent target. Erik ten Hag, the United manager, has expressed interest in the defender to address last season’s injury woes among key players.

Although United previously eyed Everton’s Jarrod Branthwaite, they shifted focus to De Ligt after failing to meet Everton’s valuation.

Ongoing Negotiations

Recent reports from The Athletic revealed that Manchester United made an initial double bid for De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, but Bayern Munich rejected the offer, holding out for a higher fee.

In July, Ten Hag commented on his past interest in De Ligt, stating that while he had wanted to sign him two years ago, the player was already committed to Bayern Munich at that time.

Ten Hag also mentioned that the scouting and recruitment team handled the player acquisitions during his brief absence.

What’s Next?

The future of Matthijs de Ligt remains uncertain as the investigation continues and negotiations between clubs proceed. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.