Manchester United target Matthijs de Ligt has plunged into trouble with the German police following a reported hit-and-run incident.
German outlet, BILD, reports that the Dutch defender is under probe by the German security operatives for violating traffic rules.
Futballnews understands the former Juventus and Ajax center-back is a top transfer target for Manchester United. Personal terms have been agreed with the 24-year-old with talks with Bayern Munich ongoing for his services.
What happened?
It appears de Ligt’s move to United could be jeopardized not if the Premier League fail to reach agreement with Bayern but due to the recent hit-and-run scandal linked to the player.
According to BILD, the Bayern Munich defender “rammed a parked car” close to the club’s Sabener Strasse training ground on August 7, 2024. The incident happened while he was driving his £63,000-worth Audi Q8 e-tron.
The German news outlet added that the Dutch star then “simply drove away.” Eyewitnesses had to alert the police, who came and towed away the car.
What penalty could de Ligt face for the hit-and-run incident?
According to a specialist lawyer from Munich, Marc Wederhake, De Ligt, if found guilty, can face a prison sentence. “If convicted, you face up to three years in prison or a fine”, the lawyer tells BILD.
Another specialist lawyer, Katharina Thueuerkaufer, confirmed Wederhake’s statement. “A hit-and-run, if committed intentionally, attracts prison sentence or fine,” she says.
It remains to be seen if this might affect his impending move to Manchester United. At the time of filing this report, Bayern Munich are yet to make an official statement on the incident.
The incident is coming a few weeks after the top-earning Bayern footballer with a £250,000 weekly wage flew his newly married wife and Dutch model Annekee Molenaar to Ibiza to spend quality time. They pair crowned their relationship with nuptial vows on June 7, 2024.
It is hoped the incident would not impact the player’s private life, including his career but that would be dependent on the outcome of the investigations by the police, according to German outlets.
Who is Matthis de Ligt?
Matthijs de Ligt (born 12 August 1999) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a defender for the Bundesliga club Bayern Munich and the Netherlands national team.
Matthis de Ligt’s career
Matthijs de Ligt started his football career in 2005, joining Abcoude before moving to Ajax youth team/academy in 2009.
He started his senior football career at Ajax in 2016 playing for the Ajax reserve team – Jong Ajax – for a year before playing for AFC Ajax.
In 2019, he moved to Juventus, spending three seasons with the Serie A team before being signed in 2022 by Bayern Munich.
Matthijs de Ligt came through the ranks at the Netherlands national team, playing for the U15 in 2014, the U16 in 2015, the U17 in 2016, and the U19 in 2016. In 2017, he got his first call-up to the senior men’s national team.
Matthis de Ligt career stats
Matthijs de Ligt has played 312 games having 22 career goals. He has played in 17 games for Jong Ajax, scoring one goal. For Ajax main team, he has eight goals in 77 games. With Juventus, he has eight goals as well in 87 games, and 53 games for Bayern Munich, with five goals.
He has also played five times for the Netherlands U15, eight times for the U16, 14 times for the U17 scoring one goal, and six times for the U19 and so far he has 45 caps for the Netherlands national team scoring twice.
Mathis de Ligt’s contract and salary
Matthijs de Ligt signed a five-year contract with Bayern Munich. His contract, which will expire in 2027, will see him earn £250,000 per week. Currently, his market value stands at €65,000,000.
Matthis de Ligt’s wife
De Ligt is married to Dutch model Annekee Molenaar. The pair wedded on June 7, 2024 but have to bore kids together.
