Manchester United & Ajax’s Matthijs de Ligt
One of the hottest targets this summer is Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt.
De Ligt, 19, seems certain to leave Ajax in the off-season.
Last week Jan Aage Fjortoft reported on social media that Manchester United were actively trying to sign de Ligt.
….if there is signing that is perfect for @ManUtd it is Ajax-captain de Ligt.
Center half ✅
Leader ✅
Young ✅Everything the club is missing right now.
Be sure! They are working VERY hard to get him
— Jan Aage Fjortoft (@JanAageFjortoft) May 21, 2019
Back then, it seemed unlikely that Man United would stand a chance at landing the Dutch teenager.
Having finished sixth in the Premier League, Man United can only offer Europa League football to a player who just scored in a Champions League semi-final.
Yet, on Saturday night, the narrative appears to have changed dramatically.
Man United are ‘very close’ to signing Ajax’s de Ligt
According to Gerard Romero, a Spanish journalist who works for Esports RAC1, Man United are “very close” to signing de Ligt.
Is the deal for the Ajax star done? No, not yet.
However, Gerard Romero claims that Man United have tabled an offer for the centre-half, and de Ligt is open to talks.
☎️☎️☎️ #mercato
De Ligt muy cerca del United! OJO!
No definitivo pero propuesta MUY buena para el jugador ☎️☎️☎️ https://t.co/88f6XAlDNC— Gerard Romero (@gerardromero) May 25, 2019
If that wasn’t enough, the Independent’s chief football writer Miguel Delaney has also reported on Man United and de Ligt.
He’s claimed that Man United are “willing to offer ‘staggering’ money to De Ligt, and he is listening.”
United willing to offer “staggering” money to De Ligt, and he is listening. Worth noting, though, that De Jong had similar with PSG (and was close) before eventually doing what everyone expected and signing for Barca.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) May 25, 2019
De Ligt ‘likes’ Paul Pogba post
Wow. Clearest indication yet that Matthijs de Ligt is converting to Islam pic.twitter.com/CR5HYzJUGl
— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) May 25, 2019
Could Barcelona sign de Ligt?
Barca also have an issue where they badly need players off their wage bill to facilitate such signings. A huge problem for them is, well, no one willingly wants to leave Barca. Great club, great money, great lifestyle. Would take huge wage to get Rakitic, for example.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) May 25, 2019
I can’t wait to see how Manchester United will word their tweet on the day of the Matthijs de Ligt signing.
Something like “We are delighted to announce that Marcos Rojo has signed a new three-year deal” posted while Barcelona are presenting their new Dutch centre back.
— Jonny Sharples (@JonnyGabriel) May 25, 2019