Barcelona are set to make a move for Ajax teenager Matthijs de Ligt in a bid to stabilize their defence. The 18-year old seems to be enjoying his time at the Dutch club having burst onto the scene last year. Ernesto Valverde has prioritised the signing of a new defender in January and the Dutch starlet could be on his way to Nou Camp very soon.
The defence has performed well so far for the Catalan giants but their ageing backline has forced the gaffer to rethink and he is considering injecting some fresh blood into the team. Except for Samuel Umtiti, all the other defenders are in the twilight of their career so time has come to shake up the defence for the betterment of the future.
Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez is taking a keen interest on the player who has given a number of fine performances since he came to the limelight. The 18-year-old came through the Ajax academy and has a good mix of skill and aggression in him.
Gerard Pique and Umtiti have marshalled the backline with sheer precision but with Pique turning 31 in next February the baton needs to be handed to the next generation and the Dutch youngster could form a formidable partnership with Umtiti.
Since Carlos Puyol retired in 2014, the Catalans failed to fill his boots adequately and would be hoping de Ligt could be the one to impress the Nou Camp with his defensive display. It has taken little time for the youngster to establish himself in the big league so it won’t be difficult for him to adapt given the two club’s similar heritage.
Both the clubs are well known for their academies and de Ligt could bridge the gap between them. The 18-year-old has already emerged as the first choice defender at Johan Cruijff Arena and has started all nine games in the Eredivisie this season which could further raise his prospect.
Barcelona failed to lure a top class defender in the summer and Valverde could go big in the winter transfer window. A formal offer is set to be made as soon as the window opens and he would command a much lesser fee than most defenders available in this inflated transfer market.
De Ligt also earned his first Oranje caps in this year and with the Holland team set for a transition following their recent debacle, he could easily find a place in the first team. He is contracted to the club until 2021 but if a club like Barcelona come calling it would be too hard to resist.
