Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has opened the door for Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt to move to the LaLiga champions.
De Ligt has plenty of admirers heading into the summer transfer window, including Manchester United, and a fierce fight is expected in the market for his signature.
Speculation surrounding the 19-year-old is rife ahead of the next few months, where Champions League semi-finalists Ajax are set to be raided by Europe’s elite after their remarkable season.
Barcelona got ahead of the curve in January by agreeing a deal for Frenkie de Jong, who will move to Catalonia this summer, and Ernesto Valverde’s side are tipped as the favourites to partner him with Ajax teammate De Ligt.
That could have implications for other sides in the market as Barcelona already have Clement Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti on their books, along with former United player Pique , but the experienced defender believes it would be a good move.
“They are players who understand our football because we have drunk from the same source, which is [Johan] Cruyff's,” he told El Pais.
“Of course, if I were worried about the power plants that have signed since I arrived, I could not sleep for years. It is of the positions in which more has been signed.
“I see it logical and I like the competition.
“I do not know what will happen, but De Ligt has many qualities because of how young he is. And De Jong has a lot of potential and future.”
