Tutto Mercato understands that Manchester City have launched a €60m bid for Ajax defender, Matthijs de Ligt. The Dutch outfit reportedly turned down a €50m offer from Tottenham Hotspur previously but will now have to strongly consider the Citizens’ bid for their 18-year-old starlet.
Pep Guardiola does not necessarily have the best relationship with the player’s agent, Mino Raiola, which could potentially block the move from happening if reports are true in this case. €60m is quite an amount to turn down without a strong consideration. For this particular player, the price just might be justified, given the economic climate we live in and the talent that he has managed to showcase.
At just 18, de Ligt has already appeared in 62 senior games for Ajax and has scored 6 times as a central defender. He played in 39 games this past campaign alone to help his team to the Runners Up spot of the Eredivisie.
The Dutchman’s talents are boundless as he also got handed over his 7th international cap after making his debut only in March last year. de Ligt proved to be far too good for the Netherlands youth sides after making 33 appearances.
Last August, he signed an extension with the Godenzonens for a deal stretching till the summer of 2021. He is a cemented starter under Erik ten Hag and is also touted to be one of the best young talents in the entire continent of Europe.
de Ligt’s progression from the youth ranks of Johan Cruijff Arena has been meteoric after joining the side when he was only 9. He scored on his debut against Willem II from a corner kick and upstaged Clarence Seedorf to become the club’s youngest ever goalscorer.
The teenager took no time to adjust to top-flight football and has since been developing at an unforeseen rate. Playing regular minutes against elite competition certainly helps catalyse the process but he is unlikely to receive the same treatment at Manchester City.
The Citizens have just been crowned as the champions of England and already have established names like Vincent Kompany, Nicolas Otamendi, John Stones, Eliaquim Mangala and Aymeric Laporte for the position.
Guardiola is not necessarily ready to feature a young, relatively less experienced player and let him take over the defensive reigns over most of the currently employed names.
de Ligt should strongly consider either staying with Ajax for the upcoming season or entertain offers from teams who will be able to offer him better playing time.
