We’re set for *at least* a few more days of De Ligt-to-United rumours
Manchester United are expected to learn in the coming days if Matthijs De Ligt will move to Old Trafford this summer.
The 19-year-old defender has attracted attention from several of Europe’s most prominent clubs over the course of this season, during which he’s helped Ajax to a Champions League semi-final.
Though it seemed he was likely to follow his close friend Frenkie De Jong to Barcelona, reports in recent weeks have claimed that United have offered the defender significantly better financial terms than the LaLiga champions.
This, and the prospect of being the face of United’ rebuild, is said to appeal to De Ligt, who is currently preparing for the Uefa Nations League finals with the Dutch national side.
Though United have been privately briefing that they believe Barca agreed a deal with the player and his representatives several months ago, the Telegraph report that, tellingly, United have continued to work on the deal.
The same report adds that there is now a belief in the Netherlands that a move to Old Trafford is actually a better option for the defender, with the Premier League seen as a place where he could improve his defensive qualities more than he would do if he were to move to Spain.
United’s frailties in defence mean De Ligt is also likely to be a guaranteed starter under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, whereas he may not feature as regularly in the first team if he makes a move to Barca.
As well as the uncertainty over their move for De Ligt, it was also reported that a Barcelona move for Antoine Griezmann may also be off.
Griezmann announced in May that he intended to leave Atletico Madrid in the summer, with Barca thought to be his preferred destination.
However, claims that Barca’s players had objected to the move for the French international were featured in the Spanish press last week. No major progress in the deal has been reported in the time since.
