CEO Oliver Kahn praised the new boss there as “strong in tackles and headers” and for his “very, very good build-up game”. De Ligt likes to lead, is loud and very present. “These qualities are very, very important for us,” said Kahn. De Ligt brings in a “tick more stability” and is therefore “exactly this important piece of the mosaic” that you need.
Only Hernández was more expensive
So far, Bayern have only spent more money on Lucas Hernández, who came from Atlético Madrid in 2019 for 80 million euros. Even then there was interest in de Ligt, but he switched from Ajax Amsterdam to Juventus for 85.5 million euros. “Back then we were convinced of his qualities as a defender, and we are even more so today,” said sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.
“Matthijs de Ligt was an absolute dream player of ours. With transfers like this, the big goals that we are pursuing are possible. This transfer is an important building block in the overall concept that we are implementing step by step. De Ligt should be a key player at FC Bayern become a pillar,” said President Herbert Hainer about the defender.
Fixed pillar of the Dutch “Elftal”
The 38-time national player (two goals) still had a contract with Juventus until 2024. De Ligt played 117 games for the Italian record champions, in which he scored eight goals.
After superstar Sadio Mané, Ryan Gravenberch and Noussair Mazraoui, de Ligt is the fourth newcomer to the record champions – and probably not the last. There is strong interest in Konrad Laimer (25 / RB Leipzig) and Talent Mathys Tel (18 / Stade Rennes), both of which are likely to come.