Liverpool to beat Barcelona to Matthijs de Ligt?

Barcelona are reportedly fearful that Liverpool could sign Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt at the end of the season.

De Ligt has enjoyed an outstanding 2018-19 campaign, and it is widely thought that the 19-year-old will join one of the Europe's biggest clubs in this summer's transfer window.

Barca have been strongly linked with the Netherlands international for some time, but according to Mundo Deportivo, the Spanish champions are slightly concerned that Liverpool could make a late swoop.

The same report claims that the Catalan giants met with Ajax last week, and learned that they will have to come up with a bid of £75m to convince the Dutch giants to sell the towering defender.

De Ligt has scored seven times in 54 club appearances during the 2018-19 campaign, including twice en route to the semi-finals of the Champions League.