Transfer Centre

Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt 'chooses Barcelona over Juventus'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 11 March 2019

Barcelona reportedly win the race to sign 19-year-old Matthijs de Ligt after the in-demand Ajax skipper chooses to join the Spanish champions over Juventus.

In-demand Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt has reportedly decided to join Barcelona over Italian champions Juventus at the end of the season.

A host of Europe's top clubs have been linked with the 19-year-old in recent months, and his burgeoning reputation was only enhanced further as he helped Ajax to knock Real Madrid out of the Champions League last week.

In addition to Barcelona and Juventus, the likes of Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Arsenal were all understood to be considering a move for De Ligt this summer.

However, Calciomercato reports that the teenager has now decided on a switch to the Camp Nou, where he will join up with current Ajax teammate Frenkie de Jong.

The report goes on to state that Juventus cannot be entirely ruled out of the running just yet due to their connection with De Ligt's agent Mino Raiola, but that Barcelona are increasingly confident of securing a deal.

Barcelona are now hopeful of pushing through official confirmation within the next month in order to avoid any U-turns in the negotiations.