Man Utd can sign De Ligt to fix leaky defence for less than £65m as Ajax captain says he is cheaper than De Jong
MANCHESTER UNITED could sign Matthijs de Ligt for less than £65million – after the star said he is worth less than Frenkie de Jong. The Ajax captain, still only 19, is expected to leave the club he joined aged nine this summer. He has excelled in the Eredivisie and notably in the Champions League throughout […]
MANCHESTER UNITED could sign Matthijs de Ligt for less than £65million – after the star said he is worth less than Frenkie de Jong.
The Ajax captain, still only 19, is expected to leave the club he joined aged nine this summer.
He has excelled in the Eredivisie and notably in the Champions League throughout the season after being named club captain last year.
And now a host of European superpowers are set to battle it out for his signature when the transfer window opens.
Barcelona are the odds-on favourites after already securing the signing of De Jong but Manchester United, Juventus, Liverpool and Real Madrid have also been linked.
Out of those reportedly keen, it is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United that are in the most desperate need for a new defender.
The Red Devils have conceded 51 league goals this term, more than in any other Premier League campaign.
But the defender reckons he should not be sold for more than £65m – the price Barca agreed to pay for his team-mate and pal De Jong.
In a Q&A on social media, De Ligt said: “Will I be more expensive than Frenkie? I don’t think so, no.
I haven’t made a decision yet, so I don’t know [if I will stay].
Matthijs de Ligt
“Normally teams spend more money on midfield players than defenders. I really don’t know.
“It’s up to Ajax – it’s not something that I decide. We shall see.”
And he went on to provide a glimmer of hope for Ajax supporters by suggesting he may stay at the Johan Cruyff Arena beyond the summer.
He added: “I haven’t made a decision yet, so I don’t know [if I will stay].
“I am only focused on the last games of the season for now.
“We still have a lot to play for so let’s finish this season in a good way.”
Ajax lead the Eredivisie ahead of PSV on goal difference with two matches of the season to go.
They are also in the KNVB Cup final, facing Willem II on Sunday afternoon.
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That game is sandwiched between the two legs of the Champions League semi-final with Tottenham.
Erik ten Hag’s squad flew out of Amsterdam this morning as they prepare for the game in North London tomorrow night.
De Ligt will be desperate to keep a clean sheet – and possibly add another goal – to take the advantage back to the Netherlands for next Wednesday’s second leg.
Arrived @Schiphol!
Frenkie de Jong ->
Matthijs de Ligt ->#UCL #totaja pic.twitter.com/vXkIR6BR3C
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) April 29, 2019
