Barcelona ‘one step away’ from signing Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt but agent Mino Raiola’s three-month ban could hold up the deal
- Barcelona are closing in on a deal for Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt
- His Nou Camp salary has already been agreed with finer points left to resolve
- One potential sticking point is the three-month ban of De Ligt’s agent Raiola
- Barcelona have already signed midfielder Frenkie de Jong from Dutch club
Barcelona are ‘one step away’ from signing Ajax sensation Matthijs de Ligt and only unforeseen events will prevent the deal going through.
Having already signed midfielder Frenkie de Jong from the Champions League semi-finalists, Barcelona appear close to getting captain and centre-back De Ligt as well.
Barcelona require a long-term successor to Gerard Pique and Holland international De Ligt, only 19, would be the ideal option.
Barcelona are reportedly ‘one step away’ from signing Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt
The 19-year-old Ajax captain has enjoyed a superb season and is set for the Nou Camp
And, according to Marca, the transfer is only being held up by uncertainty around the position of De Ligt’s agent, Mino Raiola.
The Dutchman has been banned for three months by FIFA and the Italian Football Federation and this could affect a number of high-profile summer deals.
It is unclear who will manage Raiola’s clients this summer and whether his ban will prove a sticking point. In addition, Barcelona as a club don’t have a good relationship with Raiola.
De Ligt’s salary has already been agreed as part of Barcelona’s policy, introduced two years ago, to complete their transfer business before the official window opens.
De Ligt and Ajax suffered heartache in the Champions League semi-final against Tottenham
The defender had earlier scored in the second leg but Tottenham mounted a comeback
It’s likely De Ligt would be involved in the Barca first team from the outset amid doubts at the progress shown by Samuel Umtiti.
De Ligt has shown no fear on club football’s biggest stage this season, leading Ajax to the Champions League semi-finals, where they were beaten in dramatic circumstances by Tottenham.
The teenager has also formed a formidable central defensive partnership with Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk in the Holland team.
Barcelona will overhaul their squad this summer having exited the Champions League in humiliating circumstances to Liverpool.
