Juventus in pole position to sign De Ligt

Juventus have moved ahead of Barcelona as the favorites to land Ajax’s Matthijs de Light, according to Sport.

As the Catalan outlet exclusively report, the La Liga title holders are about to lose their primary defensive target to their Serie A counterparts. Barcelona representatives met with the player to discuss his move to Camp Nou, but apparently the meeting did not go as well as they would have hoped.

The main problem the Catalans face is that they cannot guarantee the 19-year-old a starting place, which is something the Old Lady won’t have a problem with. Given the age of Giorgio Chiellini (34), Leonardo Bonucci (31) and Andrea Barzagli (37), De Ligt would fit in perfectly with their plans to rejuvenate the back line.

Further more, the transfer itself is set to cost up to €80million, which is something Juventus are ready to pay. Barcelona on the other hand cannot go that high, not if they are to go in for midfielder Frenkie de Jong.