Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt has turned down a move to Barcelona despite the two clubs agreeing a fee, according to reports in Spain.
The 19-year-old is attracting the interest of Europe’s top clubs after a successful season which saw him emerge as one of the most talented defenders in the world. In addition to helping Ajax to the Eredivisie title, the centre-back produced standout performances against Real Madrid and Juventus as he helped his club to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
The Dutch international had been expected to follow team-mate Frenkie De Jong to Barcelona this summer, but recent reports suggest that Paris Saint-Germain have overtaken the Spanish club as front-runners for his signature . And although the Catalan giants have reportedly agreed a €75 million (£67m) fee with Ajax, Spanish radio programme ‘El Larguero’ (per AS ) reports that the offer has been rejected by the player’s agent, Mino Raiola.
According to the report, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu attempted to personally convince the teenager to move to the Camp Nou, but had no success. It is claimed that De Ligt told Bartomeu that he would respect the decision of his agent and declined the offer.
That would seem to make PSG the clear favourites to land the talented centre-back amid reports that they have agreed to match Barelona’s transfer fee. It is also understood that the Ligue 1 side are prepared to offer the Holland international a more attractive wage package, which was believed to be the main obstacle that prevented Barca from completing a deal. De Ligt has also been linked with Juventus, Bayern Munich and Manchester United.
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