MX23RW : Sunday, April 13 00:16:29| >> :60:1286:1286:

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:
Written by
Barney Corkhill
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
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool31227272304273
2Arsenal321712357273063
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest32176951381357
4Manchester CityMan City32167962422055
5Aston Villa3215984946354
6Chelsea31158854371753
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle30165952391353
8Fulham3113994742548
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton32121285149248
10Bournemouth311291051401145
11Brentford32127135248443
12Crystal Palace311110104140143
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd31108133741-438
14Everton32814103438-438
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs311141658451337
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham3198143552-1735
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves3195174359-1632
18Ipswich TownIpswich3148193165-3420
19Leicester CityLeicester3246222772-4518
20Southampton3224262377-5410


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!