67 million purchase via transfer
With the signings of Liverpool attacker Sadio Mané (30) and Juventus central defender Matthijs de Ligt (22), FC Bayern set two clear exclamation points on the summer transfer market this summer. The Dutch defender revealed in a “kicker” interview that after the first concrete contact from Munich, he was immediately impressed by a transfer to the German record champions.
“When Bayern got in touch, I was immediately interested. Because the style suits my way of playing,” said de Ligt. Those responsible at FCB “wanted exactly this player that I want to be. I want to help the team, defend high, build the game – similar to what I did at Ajax.” The international rose to captain in Amsterdam and became one of the most sought-after defensive talents in the world, with Juventus securing his services in 2019 for 85.5 Million Euro.
Bayern now paid a fixed EUR 67 million, which means that de Ligt’s transfer income rose to EUR 152.2. Another 10 million euros in bonuses can be added. “I think the combination that Bayern was looking for a player who would take on leadership roles in defence, and the club’s philosophy corresponds to my ideas, fits well. It sparked immediately between FC Bayern and me,” said de Ligt.
De Ligt in the top 15: players with the highest transfer earnings
On Säbener Straße, he and Frenchman Lucas Hernández (26; 2019 for €80 million from Atlético) form the most expensive central defender duo in football history. “I still had a two-year contract with Juve, but I felt it was time for a new challenge, a new environment,” said de Ligt, giving an insight into his thoughts. At first it didn’t look like a change of scenery for him.
FC Bayern was looking for a “certain type of defender” – and found de Ligt
“I was told during the summer break that Bayern were looking for a certain type of defender. But it was initially just a loose request, because at the time it was not really clear that I would be available at all,” says de Ligt. The 2021 European Championship participant has so far made 87 appearances in Serie A and 77 games in the Eredivisie, as well as 29 times in the Champions League and nine times in the Europa League.
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