Manchester United has significantly strengthened their defense by acquiring Dutch center-back Matthijs de Ligt and Moroccan full-back Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich. De Ligt, aged 25, has signed a five-year contract, with an option to extend for an additional year.
Mazraoui, 26, capable of playing both as a right-back and left-back, is contracted until June 2028, also with a potential extension for another year. Although the transfer fees were not disclosed, reports suggest United paid a combined £60 million ($77 million) for the duo.
In a related move, Manchester United sold Aaron Wan-Bissaka to West Ham United for a reported £15 million ($19 million), concluding his five-year tenure at the club. Known as one of the Premier League’s top one-on-one defenders, Wan-Bissaka will now compete for the right-back position at West Ham alongside Vladimir Coufal. This transfer marks a return to London for Wan-Bissaka, who began his career at Crystal Palace.
The defensive overhaul at Manchester United also includes the signing of 18-year-old center-back Leny Yoro from Lille earlier this transfer window for a fee of €62 million ($68 million).