Ajax have confirmed Juventus want to sign highly-rated central defender Matthijs de Ligt, who is also wanted by Barcelona.
The 19-year-old has been the captain of the Amsterdam-based club for over a year and has starred for club and country.
Widely regarded as one of the best upcoming talents in world football, the central defender is set to command a €75m fee from Ajax.
“Will De Ligt go to Juventus? I can say that there’s only one team in Italy who want him,” said former Juve stopper Edwin van der Saar, who is now Ajax general manager.
“But I don’t know if he could go to Juventus.”
Juve sporting director Fabio Paratici was also reportedly in the stands at the Johan Cruyff Arena to watch De Ligt.
The situation appears unclear for Barca who have already signed Jean-Clair Todibo from Toulouse while Jeison Murillo has joined on loan from Valencia.
However, the report claims de Ligt’s agent Mino Raiola is demanding a €10m commission fee from Barca – something the club is not willing to accept.
There is said to be optimism that the €86m deal to take his Ajax teammate Frenkie de Jong to the Camp Nou this summer may influence his close friend and current teammate.
