Matthijs De Ligt: Barcelona and Man Utd receive huge boost as European giants walk out of Ajax Skipper pursuit

Barcelona and Manchester United have received a huge boost as Bayern Munich have decided against making a move for Matthijs De Ligt.

Matthijs De Ligt is linked with numerous clubs over the last few months. One of the hottest prospects in Europe, the Ajax Skipper is seeking a move away this summer, although staying at Amsterdam Arena is still an option for him – like he said in a recent interview.

Barcelona were the front runners, but his agent Mino Raiola is playing hardball with the suitors. Raiola is seeking a hefty compensation fee which has stalled talks with the reigning Spanish Champions. This has enticed Manchester United to enter the race and keep a huge salary on the table.

Bayern Munich and Juventus were supposed to be the other clubs. However, according to ESPNFC, Bayern Munich have distanced themselves from Matthijs De Ligt as he continues to assess his options rather than opting to join a team.

This will come as a huge boost for Barcelona and Manchester United, who have registered their interest in the recent weeks. The Red Devils are set to have offered 13 million, a fee no other team bothers to match. Juventus are also the other side to keep an eye on the proceedings.

Speaking ahead of his country’s Nations League clash with England, De Ligt told AP: “Where do I see myself? Well, obviously the Premier League is a big competition — Spain also — but you have other competitions.

“It’s not [just] about those two. I still don’t know anything about where my future is, so I see how it goes.”

Bayern have already signed Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez for the defensive options and they do not want to match astronomical wages to lure him to Allianz Arena. They are focussed on signing a winger rather.

Here’s how Twitter has reacted..

https://t.co/xy0rQ0Bti0

— Raphael Honigstein (@honigstein) June 6, 2019

Should point out that I have no fresh info on Barca, United or Juventus. The line in the piece links back to an earlier story. https://t.co/z2BoMImw6S

— Raphael Honigstein (@honigstein) June 6, 2019

Bayern have withdrawn from the race to sign Matthijs de Ligt. Bayern had been encouraged to pursue the player after initial positive talks but recently informed him in a phone conversation that more pressing priorities in the transfer market ruled out a bid for him [@honigstein] pic.twitter.com/0FFadz8ah2

— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) June 6, 2019

Manchester United and Barcelona are the two clubs leading the race for @AFCAjax defender De Ligt. Bayern no longer interested, but Juventus are. [Raphael Honigstein] [@honigstein]. pic.twitter.com/KvDm0nP7S8

— Manchester United Transfer News (@UtdFanTransfers) June 6, 2019

According to Raphael Honigstein of ESPN, Barca and ManU are leading the race for De Ligt. Bayern withdrawn their interest. Juventus still interested in De Ligt. (From Germany)
Note: RMC said Barca and PSG. (From France)
Michael Ogden said Barca. (from England) https://t.co/0KcN0rfdaS

— Sujoy Shyam Pritam (@sujoy_pritam) June 6, 2019

What’s next?

The centre-back has not taken a decision on his future because he wants the whole trust about the footballing project. He is no worried about the money factor.