Barcelona are reportedly worried Liverpool will hijack their £75million move for Ajax centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, according to reports from Spain.
The Catalan giants have already signed De Ligt's Ajax and international team-mate Frenkie De Jong for £67million, and are keen to land the duo.
But De Ligt is on the radar of a number of top teams in Europe and will likely be the subject of a bidding war once the transfer window opens.
Ajax CEO Edwin van der Sar is resigned to the fact the defender will leave the Amsterdam-based club this summer, following his success in the Champions League this season.
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"I think these will be De Ligt's final games with Ajax," Van der Sar told Sky Italia
"But I hope he goes out on a high. He's been here since he was a child and will end up at a big club."
When asked where he thinks De Ligt will end up, Van der Sar added: "I think he'll go to England or Spain."
Barcelona are obviously the favourites from Spain to sign De Ligt. As for England, Manchester United have pulled out of the running.
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As revealed by Mirror Sport, the Red Devils missed out on a chance to sign the Dutchman because over concerns over his weight.
This leaves Liverpool in the running to sign the defender, and the Reds have a secret weapon in Virgil van Dijk, who could make all the difference.
The Dutchman is international team-mates with De Ligt and has forged a brilliant partnership with the 19-year-old when playing for Holland.
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According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are concerned Van Dijk could sway the teenager's decision this summer and see him join Liverpool instead.
The centre-back would cost either side upwards of £75million.
