Barcelona, Man Utd and Man City battle for Ajax ace Matthijs de Ligt

Ajax ace Matthijs de Ligt is being stalked through the streets of Amsterdam by representatives from Barcelona, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and the two Manchester clubs, according to media reports.

The 18-year-old Dutch international defender is rated as one of the “best centre-back prospects in world football”, says The Sun - so it is little wonder that he’s being wooed by three of the game’s powerhouses, plus Europa League favourites Arsenal.

Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reports that Barcelona are leading the race to secure de Ligt, thanks to the good working relationship that the side enjoys with Ajax. The Spanish giants are said to be “keen” to work out a deal for the “wonderkid”, according to The Sun, but Man City and Man Utd are also on his tail, and a summer offer could well be tabled.

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Jose Mourinho is drawing up plans for a summer revamp of his defence, with Chris Smalling and Phil Jones both expected to be released. Pep Guardiola is also concerned about his ageing defence and is in the market for new blood.

As for Arsenal, defence has long been a fault line in Arsene Wenger’s grand scheme to bring back the glory years for the Gunners. The club also enjoys good lines of communication with Ajax thanks to the presence of former Arsenal star Marc Overmars, now director of football at the Dutch club.

Wherever he goes, The Sun says that de Ligt “won’t come cheap”. According to the newspaper, Ajax would expect to receive around £40m for the defender, which is what Tottenham reportedly paid the club last year for the services of Davinson Sanchez.