De Ligt in-demand
Despite the summer transfer window having not yet opened in any of Europe’s major divisions apart from the Premier League, speculation surrounding the respective futures of a number of football’s biggest stars has nevertheless been rampant for weeks now.
The likes of Antoine Griezmann, Philippe Coutinho, Eden Hazard and Paul Pogba have all been tipped to find their way to new clubs over the coming months.
No player, however, has been more widely-talked about than Ajax’s Matthijs de Ligt.
Matthijs de Ligt celebrates scoring for Ajax vs Tottenham Hotspur – UEFA Champions League – Semi-Final – Second-Leg. (Photo by Bradley Collyer/EMPICS/PA Images via Getty Images)
Dutch stopper de Ligt has emerged as Europe’s most highly-sought after youngster, on the back of a stunning season.
Along with sealing a domestic double, the 19-year-old, already Ajax’s captain and a regular for the Netherlands at international level, led the Amsterdam outfit to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
De Ligt’s combination of physique, athleticism, aggression, reading of the game and ability with the ball come together to form the package of a complete, modern centre-half.
Barcelona ‘move away’
As such, it has come as little surprise to see the prodigious teen added to the respective wish-lists of a whole host of football’s heavyweights.
The likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Manchester United have all been named as keen suitors of de Ligt.
La Liga champions Barca, though, have long-been viewed as favourites to actually clinch a deal for the Dutchman.
Matthijs de Ligt looks set to leave Ajax for Barcelona this summer, irrespective of interest from English clubs, Sky Sports News understands.
As per the aforementioned update from Marcal Lorente of Mundo Deportivo, however, the Blaugrana’s pursuit of de Ligt looks to have reached an impasse.
The board of the Catalan giants have reportedly come to the decision that the financial commitment required to sign Ajax’s captain poses too heavy a burden, with Barca having prioritized additions in other areas.