Man City and Barcelona could lose out on Matthijs de Ligt as Ajax sensation ‘accepts invitation to Juventus’

The Dutch wonderkid was thought to have been in talks for a move to Spain but has now chosen Italy as his new home

Posted Saturday, November 10, 2018 by Thesun.co.uk

Man City and Barcelona could lose out on Matthijs de Ligt as Ajax sensation ‘accepts invitation to Juventus’
Ajax are prepared to cash in on De Ligt... but not to Manchester City or even Barcelona!

MANCHESTER CITY and Barcelona are set to lose out to Juventus in the intense race to land Ajax sensation Matthijs de Ligt, according to reports.

The Dutch international was thought to have been in talks for a move to Spain but has now accepted an "invitation to join Juventus".

De Ligt has been closely watched by the club since the young defender played against Italy last year but De Ligt was believed to favour a move to the Nou Camp.

But, the Ajax star has now "accepted the invitation of the Bianconeri to visit Turin", according to Fabrizio Romano of Calciomercato.

The Italian champions are desperate to convince the 19-year-old to join their star-studded ranks but they are facing stiff competition from Barcelona who also identified him as a key target.

Snaring the ball-playing defender will be no easy feat, as Romano noted even an offer in excess of €50 million (£43 million) wouldn't be enough to convince Ajax to sell.

Speaking of the transfer speculation, De Ligt recently told FourFourTwo: “It’s nothing special, to be honest.

“There are so many tabloids writing things. I haven't heard anything, so I focus on Ajax.

“It's nice to see your name linked with those kinds of clubs, but if I didn't hear anything, it doesn't matter.”

Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo claimed Barca are currently leading the race for De Ligt's signature - with the Dutch star under contract in Amsterdam until at least 2021.

fight with Wilder
Man City showed interest in De Ligt this summer - believing the Dutchman can be a long-term replacement for the ageing Vincent Kompany.

Meanwhile, Tottenham were told in the last transfer window to stump up a club-record fee to land the star - who used to play alongside Davinson Sanchez in Holland.

Bayern Munich are even thought to be on the prowl, with it now very unlikely De Ligt will be an Ajax player for much longer.