Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United are all reportedly hot in pursuit of Matthijs de Ligt for a big move this summer.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Matthijs de Ligt has once again become a highly sought-after defender in the summer transfer window. The Dutch international is being tailed by the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United, though a summer exit from Juventus appears unlikely.
Matthijs de Ligt raised many eyebrows when he not only established himself as a pivotal figure for Ajax while still in his teens but also becoming the club captain in the nascent stages of his career. At the same time, he was also a mainstay at the back for the Dutch national side and all this meant it did not really come as a surprise that the big clubs soon came calling.
Among a number of top clubs, Juventus ended up securing his services in the summer of 2019 and he has continued his progress since, even if there have been a few lapses here and there. So far, de Ligt has turned out 61 times for the Bianconeri, chipping in with 4 goals and an assist. Ahead of the summer, though, he is a hot property again, with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United hot on his trails.
Barcelona are beginning a transitional period after Joan Laporta was named as the new president. Under the new board, defence is one of the areas that is set to be addressed, with Gerard Pique in the final phase of his career while Samuel Umtiti and Clement Lenglet have failed to impress lately. To that end, a move for David Alaba – also a target for Real Madrid – is on the cards, although de Ligt is a viable target as well.
Real Madrid, too, are set to enter the market for a centre-back owing to the uncertain futures that central defensive stalwarts Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane are facing at the club. As a result, it has been reported that the Merengues are keeping their options open, with Pau Torres emerging as a target lately, while de Ligt will also offer a long-term solution.
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As for Manchester United, they are in search of a reliable partner for captain Harry Maguire. While Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly have done well, for the most part, their fitness issues have meant that Maguire has not had a consistent partner at the heart of the Manchester United defence. Someone like de Ligt would be a perfect solution, then, for the Red Devils, with his leadership abilities being a bonus.
Juventus, though, will not let the 21-year-old leave cheaply and will demand a price similar to the €75 million they paid to sign him two years ago. The Bianconeri also understand that such a valuation will be tough to match, with Barcelona effectively ruled out of the running due to their financial woes.
Neither Real Madrid nor Manchester United will be able to afford such a sum and so, it is likely that de Ligt will stay put at Juventus, although it remains to be seen if any of the suitors do manage to raise the funds necessary to swoop him away from the Allianz Stadium.
