Manchester United target Matthijs de Ligt is reportedly being investigated by German police on suspicion of a hit-and-run.
The centre-back was left out of Bayern Munich’s tour squad for South Korea in late July amid growing rumours that he would be heading to Old Trafford this summer.
Erik ten Hag has publicly admitted that United are interested in the defender, hoping to bolster their ranks after struggling with injuries to their key defenders last season.
But according to BILDThe 24-year-old is believed to have rammed a parked car near the club’s training ground on Sabener Strasse on Wednesday morning. He was driving his Audi Q8 e-tron, worth around £63,000 (€74,400).
The German news outlet claims that the Netherlands international then ‘simply walked away’ from the scene, with witnesses calling police emergency lines to alert them to the incident. BILD also reports that De Ligt’s car was subsequently towed away and impounded.
Matthijs de Ligt is being investigated by German police ‘on suspicion of a collision’
Man United are rumoured to be interested in signing the defender, with Erik ten Hag keen to bring him to Old Trafford.
But according to BILD, the 24-year-old is said to have rammed a parked car near the club’s training field on Sabener Strasse on Wednesday.
According to Munich lawyer Marc Wederhake, De Ligt could face a prison sentence as the maximum penalty for the incident if found guilty.
“If you are found guilty, you could face up to three years in prison or a fine. Fines are often imposed when people are convicted of such crimes,” the lawyer told BILD.
A specialist lawyer for criminal and traffic law from Stolzenau, Katharina Thueuerkaufer, told BILD: ‘A collision can only be committed intentionally. Now it must be proven that he perceived the accident acoustically, visually or tactilely.’
Mail Sport has asked Bayern Munich for comment.
United were also keen to sign Everton defender Jarrod Branthwaite, but Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his leadership group were unwilling to match Toffee’s valuation of the England star. United have since seemingly turned their attention to De Ligt, who joined Bayern Munich from Juventus in 2022.
According to reports from The Athletic last week, Man United had ‘made a double opening bid for both De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui’, but Bayern had ‘rejected the deal as they continued to push for a higher transfer fee.’
But Bayern Munich chairman Uli Hoeness stated in July that the defender “could leave” the Bavarian club, with De Ligt also reportedly agreeing personal terms with United.
BILD reports that De Ligt was driving his £63,000 Audi Q8 e-tron at the time of the incident (pictured: an Audi Q8 e-tron on display at a football match in Tokyo)
Reports from The Athletic last week claimed that Man United had ‘made an opening double bid for both De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui’,
Vincent Kompany had opted not to let De Ligt take part in Bayern Munich’s recent tour to South Korea
“It is still questionable whether Matthijs de Ligt will come, I know him well,” Ten Hag told the AD in July, when he asked whether United was planning a transfer for De Ligt.
‘I wanted to sign him two years ago, but he was already very far along to go to Bayern. Believe it or not, his name didn’t come from me in the process.’
De Ligt previously worked under the Dutch coach during his time at Ajax, joining the Eredivisie side as a youth player before making 117 appearances for the club’s first team.
He would later move to Juventus, where he played the same number of games before joining Bayern Munich. He has won domestic league titles with all three clubs he has played for.
United are also active in the transfer market, with Joshua Zirkzee as the first signing of the summer transfer window
The Red Devils have also completed the £52million signing of highly-rated Lille defender Leny Yoro, 18
De Ligt, who also comes from the Netherlands, travelled to Germany with Ronald Koeman’s team this summer for the 2024 European Championship. However, he did not play a single match for Ronald Koeman’s team during the tournament, which meant his team advanced to the semi-finals.
Man United have already ventured into the transfer market by signing young players Leny Yorom (18) and Joshua Zirkzee (23).