Why Manchester United could beat Barcelona to the signing of Matthijs de Ligt

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Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt wants to join Barcelona this summer, but his agent would prefer him to sign for Manchester United, Bayern Munich or Juventus.

De Ligt has starred for the Amsterdammers this season, helping Erik ten Hag's side reach the Champions League semi-finals and challenge for the Eredivisie title.

El Mundo Deportivo report that the 19-year-old is keen to follow team-mate Frenkie de Jong to the Camp Nou at the end of the campaign.

However, the player's agent, Mino Raiola, wants his client to join a more economically profitable club such as United, Bayern or Juve.

The Ajax captain has made 51 appearances and scored six goals this term, including the winner in their Champions League quarter-final victory over Juventus.

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Greg Lea
Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football journalist who's filled in wherever FourFourTwo needs him since 2014. He became a Crystal Palace fan after watching a 1-0 loss to Port Vale in 1998, and once got on the scoresheet in a primary school game against Wilfried Zaha's Whitehorse Manor (an own goal in an 8-0 defeat).