Football

Matthijs De Ligt’s father-in-law responds to Manchester United transfer speculation


Manchester United have been linked with Juventus centre-back Matthijs De Ligt in recent weeks (Picture: Getty)

Matthijs De Ligt’s father-in-law Keje Molenaar has rubbished rumours that the defender regrets joining Juventus and could be on his way to Manchester United in the summer transfer window.

The 20-year-old captained Ajax to a domestic double last term and completed a €75million (£66m) move to Turin on the back of his exceptional performances in the Netherlands.

But De Ligt has had a difficult debut campaign with Juve and has struggled to replicate the form he showed last season. The centre-back started just 17 of the side’s 26 matches before the coronavirus pandemic halted all football in Italy.

Despite De Ligt’s reputation as one of the finest young defenders in Europe, Maurizio Sarri is yet to be won over and recent reports claim United will attempt to lure the Dutchman to Old Trafford over the coming months.

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Keje Molenaar claims the couple are very happy in Turin (Picture: Getty)

The Red Devils registered a strong interest in De Ligt last summer before his agent, Mino Raiola, struck a deal with Juventus and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer remains an admirer. It’s been suggested that United could even demand De Ligt plus cash in exchange for Paul Pogba.

However, Molenaar – who also represented Ajax and the Netherlands national team – has played down the speculation and insists his daughter, Annekee, and De Ligt are ‘really enjoying themselves’ in Turin.

‘These are simple rumours, that’s all, there’s nothing more to say about it,’ Molenaar told Tutto Juve.

‘Matthijs doesn’t regret having chosen Juve at all.

‘He and Annekee are really enjoying themselves in Turin and maybe they can spend some more time in Italy.’

United will prioritise strengthening their attack this summer, with the likes of Harry Kane, Jadon Sancho, Jack Grealish, James Maddison and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all linked in recent weeks.

England captain Kane has long been on United’s wishlist and the Tottenham striker hinted at a potential move during an Instagram Q&A with Jamie Redknapp last week.

Asked whether he plans to retire at Spurs, Kane replied: ‘I couldn’t say yes, I couldn’t say no, I love Spurs and I’ll always love Spurs.

‘But If I don’t feel we are progressing as a team or going in the right direction, then i’m not someone to stay there for the sake of it.

‘I’m an ambitious player, I want to improve, get better become one of top top players it depends what happens as a team and how we progress as a team so it’s not a definite I’ll stay forever but it’s not a no either. ‘

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