Matthijs De Ligt: "The agreement has been concluded"

Matthijs De Ligt, target of Manchester United and Liverpool, is expected to move this summer, according to the latest reports from the Netherlands.

But the Ajax defender is not ready to move into the Premier League, despite his ties with United, Liverpool and Arsenal, among other big clubs, including Juventus.

Instead, Barcelona is about to sign a £ 75m teenage ticket because of a special agreement between the Nou Camp and the Council Chambers. Johan Cruyff Arena.

Valentijn Driessen, head of sports at the Dutch publication De Telegraaf, said that the central defender cultivated is no doubt: it is clear that De Ligt will leave Ajax for Barca, in quotations reported by Sport.

Driessen said early last week that both clubs were close to an agreement on the player, who impressed the Champions League this season.

He said: "Ajax made it clear in Barcelona that he was not obliged to pay extra for Matthijs, unlike other clubs."

This is due to the growing relationship between the two clubs, which they consider mutually beneficial for the future.

The news is a blow for Manchester United, who must strengthen his defense as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tries to turn them into true contenders for the title.

For its part, Liverpool could have united De Ligt to his compatriot Virgil van Dijk in the heart of an already impressive defense.

Instead, Ajax should respect the decision of the player and his agent, Mino Raiola, who is supposed to follow in the footsteps of his friend and teammate Frenkie de Jong at Barca.

After allowing de Jong to go to Barca via PSG and Manchester City, both clubs discussed the possibility of a partnership moving forward.

Earlier reports have suggested that the first refusal of Barcelona would be granted to young stars of Ajax.

Ajax would also likely be offered the opportunity to lend marginal Barca players to help them grow.

Both clubs are believed to have a solid relationship in the conference room with Ajax, happy to negotiate transfers for their players if their prize is respected, allowing them to progress in their careers.