Barcelona have started their season on a promising note as the Catalan giants are sitting pretty at the top of the La Liga table. Ernesto Valverde has been pretty effective with his guidance but the Spanish gaffer is likely to add some more reinforcements in January.
Barcelona are reportedly taking interest in Ajax starlet Matthijs de Ligt. The 18-year-old has become the centre of attraction for a number of clubs as he has lit up the Eredivisie with his defending skills. The Catalan giants might bring in players to increase the depth of their defence in the January transfer window and the teenager could be seen playing for the former Spanish and European champions in the near future.
De Ligt started his career with Ajax and progressed steadily through the ranks of the Dutch club. The youngster burst onto the scene last season and has cemented a place in the starting lineup this season as he has been a regular for the Dutch side, racking up 11 starts so far.
Valverde understands that though the Barcelona backline has been performing well since the start of the season, to add a player like de Ligt might give it a big boost for the future encounters.
Pique and Umtiti have been the preferred partners for Valverde while Mascherano and Vermaelen are the part of a backup plan for the new gaffer. But the Belgian defender is likely to call it a day at the Spanish club while Mascherano has been linked with a move outside of the club.
De Ligt’s arrival is unlikely to take a toll on Pique’s Barcelona’s future. The Spanish international has been a Catalan loyalist but with his growing age, it might be hard to recall his old form.
Umtiti has been brilliant for the Spanish club but lack of conviction in the defence might be a problem in future and de Ligt’s addition could be a solution to this problem.
Ajax recently lost Davinson Sanchez to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer so it would be difficult for Barcelona to go in for a move. The Dutch club are in no hurry to offload the player who has been a revelation in the last couple of years and has been a part of the core setup.
Ajax are also in the title contention this term, so they might be reluctant to let go of one of their most consistent players. The youngster, who has two national team caps to his name, does have a very bright future ahead and moving to Barcelona would only enhance his prospects.
