Barcelona “set to sign” Ajax hero Matthijs de Ligt - report

He would join his current teammate Frenkie de Jong

FC Barcelona are close to adding another Ajax hero to their ranks next season, according to an ESPN report.

The situation has been termed as “under control” according to ESPN’s sources, who also warn there is a slight chance of disappointment. The team was sure that they were getting Antoine Griezmann last season, but it was not to be.

Juventus and Bayern Munich have pushed hard to sign him as well but ESPN claims a source close to the player has told him he “only wants to listen to Barcelona.” The same source reportedly said Ajax would warn Barça if any other teams made a move for him.

The deal is expected to fetch close to 80 million euros. Barcelona may be forced to sell to fund the capture.

Recently, club president Josep Maria Bartomeu sent what many considered a big sign when he claimed in an interview to know what would happen with the De Ligt case, adding he would not talk about it for the moment.

De Ligt was already turning heads this season for his mature performances at the age of 19 both for Ajax and the Dutch national team. But he’s only added to his resume since, with the defender bagging the winning goal in the Amsterdam club’s 2-1 triumph over Juventus in the UEFA Champions League.