Transfer Centre

Barcelona end interest in Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt?

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 28 February 2019

Barcelona are reportedly no longer looking to sign Matthijs de Ligt from Ajax as they do not want to be caught up in a bidding war.

Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt is no longer a summer transfer target for Barcelona, according to a report.

The Catalan giants were considered the strong favourites to sign the Netherlands international after sending sporting director Eric Abidal to personally meet the player towards the end of last year.

Since agreeing a deal to bring in Ajax teammate Frenkie de Jong at the end of the season, however, Barca's priorities are believed to have changed.

Don Balon suggests that growing interest in De Ligt, mainly from Juventus, has led to his asking price shooting up and the Spanish champions do not intend to be caught up in a bidding war.

Only a major sale would help Barca fund a move for the 19-year-old, it is claimed, and they would rather use that money on other options.

Another Ajax player may now be on Ernesto Valverde's radar, though, as goalkeeper Andre Onana - who spent five years with Barca before moving to Amsterdam in 2015 - is being considered as a back-up option between the sticks.