Josep Maria Bartomeu hints Barcelona have secured Matthis de Ligt deal

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has suggested that his club have already secured the signing of Ajax centre-back Matthijs de Ligt ahead of this summer's transfer window.

De Ligt, widely regarded as one of the best young centre-backs in world football, has been strongly linked with a move to Barca over the last few months.

The 19-year-old recently hinted that he had not made up his mind in terms of a summer transfer, but Bartomeu has hinted that the deal will go through ahead of the 2019-2020 campaign.

"There will be time to speak about him. Each year the club has an interest in making signings and this summer will be the same," Bartomeu told ESPN. "De Ligt, like the other best players, is on the table.

"He is a great player and a great centre-back. I know what will happen with him but it's not the moment [to talk]."

De Ligt has scored four times in 44 appearances for Ajax during the 2018-19 campaign.