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Barcelona's move for Matthijs de Ligt 'hinges on Samuel Umtiti'

Barca's De Ligt move 'hinges on Umtiti'
© Reuters
Barcelona will reportedly prioritise a move for Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt if Samuel Umtiti requires knee surgery in the summer.

Barcelona have reportedly retained an interest in signing Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt.

A report earlier this week suggested that Barcelona would prioritise other areas of the pitch, with the club having already decided on their four centre-backs for next season.

However, according to Mundo Deportivo, Barca may still look to sign De Ligt if they have concerns over the fitness of Samuel Umtiti.

The Frenchman has missed the majority of the season with a knee injury, but an operation could help solve issues with his cartilage and is an option for both the player and club.

Surgery would leave Umtiti facing at least four months on the sidelines, and it has been suggested that Barcelona would then be prepared to add De Ligt to their squad.

The 19-year-old is expected to cost in the region of £75m.

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Darren Plant
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Matthijs de Ligt in action for Ajax on October 23, 2018
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Real Madrid16113234132136
3Atletico MadridAtletico16105130111935
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Villarreal157532725226
6Real Sociedad167361611524
7Osasuna166642225-324
8Mallorca177371620-424
9GironaGirona166462223-122
10Celta Vigo166372527-221
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Rayo Vallecano155461516-119
13Sevilla165471723-619
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe163761113-216
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1541101528-1313
19Valencia142481322-910
20Real ValladolidValladolid1623111134-239


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