In a stunning twist, Matthijs de Ligt may be set to leave Manchester United just one year after joining, as fresh reports from Italy suggest that Inter Milan is eyeing the Dutch center-back.

De Ligt made his Premier League debut last August when United paid a hefty €50 million (£43 million) to acquire him from Bayern Munich, alongside fellow defender Noussair Mazraoui. His signing initially seemed like a perfect match for coach Erik ten Hag, who had previously nurtured him at Ajax.

So far, the 25-year-old has appeared 40 times for United, scoring two goals in the highly competitive Premier League. Despite outlasting Ten Hag, who was replaced by Ruben Amorim, it remains uncertain whether de Ligt aligns with INEOS's long-term plans.

According to Italian sports news outlet Tuttomercatoweb, Inter Milan has set its sights on de Ligt, contemplating an initial loan with an option to buy for summer 2026. This move allows Inter to evaluate his performance before making a long-term commitment.

United might find this proposal appealing. While de Ligt is a seasoned player, his departure could pave the way for crucial reinforcements in other areas, such as striking and midfield positions.

Interestingly, de Ligt's reported salary of £195,000 a week could also provide United with significant savings on their wage bill if he joins Inter.

Though it's unclear what United would demand for the Netherlands international, the club would likely aim to recoup their investment, potentially setting the stage for a deal exceeding £43 million.

A move to Inter would be particularly provocative, considering de Ligt's past with Juventus, where he played from 2019 to 2022 and celebrated multiple trophies, including the Serie A title and Coppa Italia. Transitioning from Juve to Inter would undoubtedly affect his reputation among Juventus fans, igniting tensions.

In the meantime, Manchester United is ramping up its own transfer activities, eyeing potential signings like Matheus Cunha and exploring options for other attacking players.

With seven new targets reportedly on United's radar, including promising players like Sunderland's Chris Rigg and Lyon's Rayan Cherki, the drama surrounding de Ligt is just one piece of a larger transfer puzzle.