Barcelona set to make final push for Ajax's Matthijs de Ligt – ESPN

Posted Tuesday, June 11, 2019 by 101 GREAT GOALS

De Ligt's breakout season

Matthijs de Ligt shot onto the world footballing stage in spectacular fashion this past season.

At just 19 years of age, de Ligt would captain Ajax to their first Eredivisie title since 2014.

The Dutchman would play 55 games across all competitions for Ajax, in which he scored seven and assisted four.

De Ligt also took Ajax to the Champions League semi-finals, where they lost out to Tottenham.

Barcelona set to make final push for Ajax's Matthijs de Ligt – ESPN
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – APRIL 10: Frenkie de Jong of Ajax (R) shakes hands with teammate Matthijs de Ligt during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final first leg match between Ajax and Juventus at Johan Cruyff Arena on April 10, 2019 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)

Barca bound?

De Ligt also impressed in the Nations League tournament for the Netherlands.

The Netherlands reached the final, but lost 1-0 to Portugal on Sunday.

It was after this game that de Ligt revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo told the young defender to sign for Juventus:

"I didn't understand him at first. I was a little shocked, so I laughed. But I didn't say anything.

"So soon after the game you are not at all concerned with it. You are disappointed that you have lost and that is the only thing you are thinking about." As quoted by ESPN.

However, according to ESPN, it looks to be Barcelona who are once again trying to land the wonder-kid.

As per the report, Barca are preparing to reopen talks with de Ligt's agent, Mino Raiola, after seeing their previous offer bettered by other clubs such as PSG, who believe they are in pole position to land the centre-back.

Bayern Munich have also reportedly ended their interest in de Ligt.