Matthijs de Ligt’s agent Mino Raiola has distanced himself from rumours that the Ajax defender is on the brink of a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
De Ligt, 19, is one of the most sought-after players in Europe after captaining Ajax to their first domestic double in 17 years, with Manchester United, Barcelona, Juventus and PSG reportedly battling it out for his signature.
Reports this week suggested that PSG were close to an agreement for De Ligt after their sporting director, Antero Henrique, held advanced discussions Raiola in the French capital.
French reporter Lassana Camara fueled the rumours by tweeting a photograph with Raiola, claiming that the super-agent was in the city to ‘conclude’ De Ligt’s move to the Parc des Princes.
However, Raiola has labelled the recent speculation ‘fake news’ and given United hope by denying that he was in Paris to negotiate a deal with PSG for De Ligt.
‘This is the classic example of fake news,’ Raiola told Italian outlet ANSA.
‘The photograph of me and the French journalist in Paris? He asked me to take a picture together, but I did not know who this gentleman was.
‘I have never spoken with him.’
Rencontre avec l’un des agents le plus influent au monde , l’italien Mino Raiola à Paris pour conclure le transfert du néerlandais De Ligt au PSG @PSG_inside !!! pic.twitter.com/C08YaBHl8S
— Lassana Camara ??? (@lassanawelt) June 12, 2019
United have reportedly De Ligt a £350,000-a-week contract to make the Dutch central defender the highest paid teenager in world football.
De Ligt, though, has stressed that money will not come into his thinking when he decides which club he wants to play for next season.
‘Money is not the problem,’ the youngster told Mundo Deportivo.
‘The most important thing is knowing in the team where you go [that] you will have prominence and play many games.
‘I still don’t know what my heart says. On my holiday, I will be able to think it over and decide what I am going to do with my future.
‘I don’t know when I’m going to have it figured out, but I’m going to take my time.’
After the Nations League final, De Ligt revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo had attempted to lure him to Juventus.
Asked whether Ronaldo had urged him to join Juve, De Ligt told NOS: ‘That could well be true.
‘What I answered? I didn’t understand him at first. So I said… no, I didn’t say anything.’
When pressed, De Ligt admitted that Ronaldo had pushed him to consider a switch to Turin, stating: ‘I was a bit shocked, that’s why I laughed.
‘But I didn’t say anything. Just after the game you just feel bad that you’ve lost, that’s all you’re thinking about.’
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