Premier League giants Manchester United are reportedly leading Barcelona in the chase for Ajax’s Eredivisie winning captain Matthijs de Ligt.
Manchester United have put their money where their mouth is in an ambitious attempt to lure Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt to Old Trafford, with Sport claiming that he has been offered a staggering £230,000 a week deal by the Premier League giants.
De Ligt is probably the most coveted defender anywhere in Europe right now and with good reason. At the age of just 19, he skippered Ajax to their first Eredivisie title in five years earlier this month with some outstanding performances at the heart of Erik Ten Hag’s backline.
De Ligt, already an established Dutch international and the winner of the 2018 Golden Boy award, also lifted the KNVB Cup and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.
With Manchester United crying out for a centre-back of real world-class quality, Sport claims that they have put a £230,000 a week (£12.3 million a year) offer on the table.
Whether De Ligt is willing to join a club who missed out on the Champions League, however, remains to be seen.
The teenager had looked set to follow Frenkie De Jong to Barcelona with the La Liga champions agreeing terms as far back as April. But, according to Sport, De Ligt’s agent Mino Raiola has suddenly increased his demands with Barca at risk of being priced out.
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