Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly emerged as the new favourites to sign Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt in this summer’s transfer window.
De Ligt, who both scored and gave away a penalty in Netherlands’s 3-1 win over England in the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League on Thursday night, is widely expected to leave Ajax ahead of the 2019-20 campaign.
At one point, it had been thought that Barcelona and Manchester United would go head-to-head for the signature of the 19-year-old.
However, United have now reportedly been ruled out of the race alongside Liverpool and Juventus, leaving Barca to battle PSG for the Dutchman.
According to ESPN FC, PSG have now become the favourites to land the centre-back due to the presence of former sporting director Leonardo, who could return to the French giants this summer.
Indeed, the report claims that Leonardo has been ‘in constant contact’ with De Ligt’s agent Mino Raiola in a bid to convince the teenager to move to Paris ahead of the 2019-20 campaign.
De Ligt captained Ajax to a league and cup double last season.