Matthijs de Ligt has delivered the damning verdict of Man Utd as Barcelona intensifies transfer interests

Matthijs De Ligt was warned that it would "sacrifice the development and ambition of money" by joining Manchester United instead of Barcelona this summer.

At 19, he has established himself as one of the most talented central defenders in the world and has attracted attention with his compound performances for Ajax.

European elite clubs line up to sign the Dutch international after its exceptional season. The favorites of Barcelona will win its signature in the coming weeks.

However, the champions of Spain have so far been able to reach an agreement to bring De Ligt to Nou camp, while United would try to lure the defender to Old Trafford.

It was reported that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was willing to offer the teenager a huge salary to head for the Premier League.

But according to the Independent, a top Barcelona official was surprised by the suggestion that the Red Devils could beat the Catalan giants with De Ligt's signing this summer.

According to some sources, he said: "With the state they are in, it is not very far to choose the Chinese league in terms of career.

"It would sacrifice the development and ambition of money in the same way."

Although it is noted that the statement is clearly exaggerated, it highlights the difficult task of reconstruction that Solskjaer must accomplish this summer.

That comes after the Reds finished sixth in the Premier League and failed to qualify for the Champions League next season.

Meanwhile, De Ligt has admitted he has several options this summer, with Juventus also expected to be interested, but insists he has not yet made a decision on his future.

"I am very excited about what could happen in the near future and I am also trying to stay calm," he told RTL4.

"I consider this a challenge – it's the most important thing.

"There are several options and I really want to choose the best one – logically, one option is better than another.

"Life abroad could be difficult, but I'm still an ordinary Dutchman, I'm no different from others, maybe living abroad will be more intense for me."