Eric Abidal meets Matthijs de Ligt: Barcelona’s technical director Eric Abidal has reportedly met de Ligt to discuss potential transfer.
Barcelona are currently 2nd in La Liga. The Catalan giants drew their game against Atletico Madrid, courtesy a late equaliser from Ousmane Dembele. The controversial figure at Barcelona has now won 7 points for Barcelona with his five goals in the league.
Sevilla are currently at the top of the table, but Barcelona are only a point behind them. Atletico Madrid sits at third.
Barcelona, meanwhile, are also keeping tabs on transfer market, and have again diverted their attention to Ajax star Matthijs de Ligt.
The Catalan side were long linked with a move for the youngster, but no substantial deal was put on place. According to reports in Spain, however, the transfer now seems close.
Eric Abidal meets Matthijs de Ligt:
Barcelona’s technical director has recently dined with the Ajax defender, Radio Catalunya has reported.
Diario Sport, meanwhile, claim that this would be the final offensive from Barcelona in their bid to persuade the player to come to Camp Nou.
‼️📰 | Éric Abidal had a dinner with Matthijs de Ligt personally, and a telephone conversation with Frenkie de Jong!
[TV3 / Radio Catalunya / Mundo Deportivo / ClubMitjant] pic.twitter.com/eg5uFwiupi
— Culé Source (@CuleSource) November 27, 2018
It has been reported by Spanish outlets that Barcelona are not the only side chasing the Ajax defender. The youngster is hot property in Europe at the moment, and the defending champions of English and Italian leagues, Manchester City and Juventus are interested in the player as well.
Ajax Amsterdam, meanwhile, has reportedly slapped a 60 million euros price-tag on the 19-year old defender, who has been key to Ajax’s campaign this season.
📰 [SPORT] | Final offensive for De Ligt
🔶 The meeting between Abidal and De Ligt underscores the interest in the center-back
🔷 SPORT already announced that the signing of the defender is the big priority next summer pic.twitter.com/fxaw7uddbd
— BarcaTimes (@BarcaTimes) November 27, 2018
Gerard Pique has struggled with form this season, and with the Spanish defender turning 32 in February next year, Barcelona are eager to bring fresh blood into the side.
Eric Abidal, had dinner with Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt in Amsterdam last week to try to convince him to join Barca.
The source also claims that Abidal had several telephone conversations with de Ligt’s teammate, Frenkie de Jong.
[TV3]Abidal we trust. pic.twitter.com/O3zKceQArb
— Barcelona Worldwide (@BarcaWorldwide) November 27, 2018
It has also been reported earlier that Ajax don’t plan to sell the player in the January transfer window, and want to wait till the summer.
Barcelona should just throw €140m at Ajax, make Overmars over the moon to sign De Jong and De Ligt. No more excuses, they already look like once in a generation type of footballers for a possession based style of play.
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) November 16, 2018
With top European heavyweights interested in the player, Ajax would expect a transfer battle for their defensive star.
What next?
Barcelona will return to action in the Champions League as they take on PSV Eindhoven.
