MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 19:49:58| >> :60:266:266:

Barcelona vice-president Jordi Mestre plays down Matthijs de Ligt speculation

Barcelona vice-president Jordi Mestre plays down reports that the club are on the verge of signing Matthijs de Ligt and suggests they have no need for a new centre-back.

Barcelona vice-president Jordi Mestre has distanced the club from reports that they are on the verge of agreeing a deal to sign Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt this summer.

De Ligt has emerged as one of the most sought-after players in world football, having led Ajax to the top of the Eredivisie, the KNVB Beker final and the semi-finals of the Champions League at the age of just 19.

Barcelona have long been regarded as the front-runners for the youngster's signature, although the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Juventus and Bayern Munich are among the other clubs credited with an interest.

De Ligt's agent Mino Raiola is reportedly keen to steer his client away from Barcelona, and Mestre has suggested that the club have no need to strengthen their central defensive options.

"I don't know why they're saying this because [De Ligt] hasn't signed," he is quoted as saying by Sky.

"[Gerard] Pique is evidently one of the best central defenders in the world, if not the best. After him, we have players like [Clement] Lenglet, [Samuel] Umtiti and we've signed a very young player in [Jean-Clair] Todibo.

"The defenders we already have are of the highest level. In De Ligt's case, we'll speak with the sporting director at the end of the season and we'll speak not about De Ligt, but about what they say."

Ajax could wrap up the first leg of their potential treble when they take on Willem II in the final of the KNVB Beker on Sunday.

ID:358279: cacheID:358279:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3075:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Matthijs de Ligt during Ajax training on April 29, 2019
Read Next:
De Ligt agent blocking Barcelona move?
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!