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Why Matthijs de Ligt is considering u-turn on Barcelona move for Manchester United transfer


Matthijs de Ligt is expected to make a decision in the ‘coming days’ (Picture: Getty)

Matthijs de Ligt is considering a move to Manchester United because he believes there are parallels between the Red Devils and Ajax.

The 19-year-old had been expected to join Barcelona after a sensational season as captain of Ajax which saw the Dutch giants knock out Real Madrid and Juventus en route to the Champions League semi-finals.

However, Barcelona’s confidence over a deal decreased over time as de Ligt’s agent, Mino Raiola, ramped up interest from across Europe as all eyes fixed on Ajax.

Manchester United are reported to have offered the defender substantially better terms than Barcelona are prepared to pay as the Red Devils seek to compensate for not being able to offer the Dutchman Champions League football next term.

Matthijs de Ligt is valued at around £75m (Picture: Getty)

Nevertheless, Barcelona had been expected to win the race but the Telegraph report that a move to Old Trafford appeals to De Ligt because he’d be at the centre of the rebuild.

The 19-year-old was made Ajax captain at the age of 18 and he believes he can help United in much the same way during their own rebuilding project.

De Ligt is also concerned that he won’t be a guaranteed starter at Barcelona given the greater strength in depth at the Camp Nou, while he’d be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first choice centre-back.

It’s claimed De Ligt will make a decision on his future in the ‘coming days’ and that United – though realistic about the chances of him going to Barcelona – still believe he could end up at Old Trafford.

De Ligt spoke to Dutch media on Thursday and hinted that he had not made a final decision.

‘I’m very excited for what could be coming in the near future,’ said De Ligt

‘But I’m calm too. I see it as a challenge, that’s the most important thing. There are various options, what I’m doing is looking for the best option.’

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