Matthijs de Ligt's Manchester United transfer in doubt after 'not clever' remark

Manchester United is on the brink of signing Lille's central defender Leny Yoro , casting doubt over a potential move for Bayern Munich's Matthijs De Ligt.

The Frenchman is set to join Erik ten Hag's squad this summer in a deal that could rise to €70 million ($76.6 million). Yoro has been one of the most sought-after defenders in Europe, with both Real Madrid and Liverpool showing interest.

This transfer continues to highlight United's new approach under INEOS - its new co-owner - and sporting director Dan Ashworth. Over the past decade, the club has been embroiled in frustrating transfer sagas, often overpaying or failing to secure their targets.

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Following the acquisition of Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna, it's believed United is considering bringing in three new center-backs following Raphael Varane's exit and uncertainty surrounding Victor Lindelof's future at Old Trafford.

De Ligt, who has a strong relationship with Ten Hag from their time together at Ajax, is another defensive target for United. However, securing the Dutch international may prove more challenging now that United is poised to invest heavily in Yoro.

The Netherlands international has reportedly agreed to a move to Manchester, but United hasn't settled on a transfer fee with Bayern. It's suggested that United didn't anticipate signing both the 24-year-old and Yoro, hinting that a deal for De Ligt may not materialise.

INEOS chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe has hinted that United may have chosen to set its sights on the Frenchman instead of the former Ajax superstar. As he discussed with Geraint Jones, former Tour de France winner, on his Cycling Club podcast in March, it seems the club's strategy is to identify and sign up-and-coming stars, rather than the current big names.

"I think in a way what I would rather do is try to sign the next (Kylian) Mbappe than spend a fortune trying to buy success," Ratcliffe said. "It's not that clever buying Mbappe, anyone can figure that one out. What's much more challenging is to find the next Mbappe or (Jude) Bellingham or Roy Keane."

Liverpool.com says: Ratcliffe is right. It's wise for United - and all clubs, for that matter - to sign up-and-coming stars rather than splash the cash on established internationals. United has struggled since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013 because of its scattergun approach in the transfer market, spending a fortune on players with little left to prove. Thankfully, Liverpool has made no such errors under FSG!