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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>De Ligt has agreed United move</li><li>Bayern want £42m for defender</li><li>Fans protesting 'horrible' deal</li></ul>

Bayern Munich fans try to stop Matthijs de Ligt making 'horrible' Man Utd transfer decision as thousands sign petition to keep 'world-class' defender

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Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano left United fans grinning with excitement on Tuesday with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/matthijs-de-ligt-agrees-man-utd-move-red-devils-close-in-on-bayern-munich-defender/bltbf708f4eb518ee52" target="_blank">his report that De Ligt has 'given the green light' to a move to Old Trafford</a>. All that's left is for the two clubs to agree a fee for the 24-year-old.

WHAT HAPPENED?

De Ligt battled numerous injuries in the first half of the 2023-24 season, and Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae became Thomas Tuchel's preferred centre-back partnership. But once healthy, the Netherlands international was able to regain his spot in the team and performed well alongside Eric Dier. Indeed, Bayern fans believe De Ligt is 'a world class defender', and thousands are signing a petition demanding he stay in Bavaria.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The <a href="https://www.change.org/p/keep-de-ligt-wir-wollen-de-ligt" target="_blank">petition</a>, signed by more than 16,000 people at the time of writing, reads: “We all want Matthijs de Ligt to stay at FC Bayern Munich! He has proven that he‘s a world class defender, probably the best in our squad.&nbsp;There is a reason why he was elected as our best player in the 2022-23 season. Furthermore he is only 24 years old and has a bright future ahead, which he is going to use to fulfil his huge potential.&nbsp;“Despite his young age, Mattha is already very mature and has a great mentality which will definitely make him a leading figure in defence and probably a competitor for captaincy in some years.&nbsp;His ability to speak English, German and Dutch fluently would help him a lot for that. With 19 years he already brought Ajax Amsterdam to the UCL semi finals as captain.“Selling Matthijs de Ligt would be an absolutely horrible decision and we would definitely regret it. That‘s why we use our voice to call attention that we will NOT make this mistake!”

WHAT THE PETITION SAYS

De Ligt is currently in Germany with the Netherlands, who progressed to the quarter-finals of the European Championship by beating Romania on Tuesday. The centre-back hasn't played a minute of the tournament though due to Ronald Koeman's preference to start Stefan de Vrij alongside Virgil van Dijk, and it's unlikely we will see him with the Oranje suit up to face Turkey on Saturday.

WHAT NEXT FOR DE LIGT?

Bayern Munich fans try to stop Matthijs de Ligt making 'horrible' Man Utd transfer decision as thousands sign petition to keep 'world-class' defender | Goal.com

Bayern Munich fans are going to extreme lengths in their attempts to prevent Matthijs de Ligt from joining Man United.

Bayern Munich fans try to stop Matthijs de Ligt making &apos;horrible&apos; Man Utd transfer decision as thousands sign petition to keep &apos;world-class&apos; defender