Josep Maria Bartomeu: 'I know Matthijs de Ligt's next club'

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has claimed that he knows where Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt will play his football during the 2019-20 campaign.

In what has been a long-running transfer saga, Barca, Liverpool, Manchester United, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain have all been firmly linked with the 19-year-old.

Juve are thought to now lead the race, with De Ligt reportedly agreeing personal terms ahead of a potential switch to Turin.

The Old Lady are yet to agree a transfer fee with Ajax, though, and Bartomeu has hinted that his club could yet be the Dutchman's next destination.

"I said a while ago [to ESPN] that I knew where he would be playing next season," Marca quotes Bartomeu as saying. "I still know, but I can't say anything else. He still belongs to Ajax."

De Ligt, who is said to be valued at £67m, scored seven times in 55 appearances for Ajax last season as Erik ten Hag's side landed a league and cup double.