Josep Maria Bartomeu has admitted that he wants Barcelona to sign 19-year-old defensive prodigy Matthijs de Ligt in the summer.
In an interview with SER Catalunya Radio, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has confirmed the club’s interest in Matthijs de Ligt. Bartomeu also added that the Blaugrana will discuss the 19-year-old defensive prodigy’s topic this month before possibly approaching Ajax over a move in the summer transfer window.
Matthijs de Ligt has made quite a surreal impression on onlookers ever since bursting onto the scene with the Ajax first-team in the 2016-17 season. In just over two seasons with the Dutch giants, the young defender has progressed leaps and bounds and has also been entrusted with the responsibility of being the club captain, despite still being in his teens.
The 19-year-old has also established himself as a mainstay in the Dutch National Side and has crossed 100 appearances for Ajax as well. In fact, de Ligt has made such a distinct impact on the footballing world that he is now regarded as one of the most highly-rated prodigies, and Barcelona have duly taken note of his talent.
Widespread reports have long been linking the 19-year-old to the La Liga champions, who are reportedly set to prioritise a move for him in the summer. And, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has confirmed the club’s interest in the Dutch defensive prodigy.
As quoted by Spanish publication Sport, Bartomeu said in an interview with SER Catalunya, “We have to talk about it from March (signing de Ligt), which is when we take the decisions, but his name is on the table, of course.”
Sport have also added that de Ligt’s performances against Real Madrid have reinforced Barcelona’s belief that they should launch the offensive for him in the summer. But, with Jean-Clair Todibo already being poached in January, the Catalans seem well equipped as far as the central defensive department for next season.
Todibo’s addition means Barcelona will have Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet, Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen for two positions, with Jeison Murillo likely to return to Valencia after the expiration of his loan deal with the club.
In such a scenario, it is hard to see where de Ligt will fit into the scheme of things. But, if the Blaugrana do make their move for the 19-year-old defensive prodigy, they will have a world class potential at their disposal and a second addition from Ajax this year, with Frenkie de Jong also set to arrive at Camp Nou in the summer.
It will now be interesting to see if Barcelona intend to launch the offensive after the aforementioned March talks, and if Matthijs de Ligt ends up making his way to the club in the summer.
