Jamie Carragher believes that Matthijs de Ligt is destined for the top and could become as good as Liverpool star and international team-mate Virgil Van Dijk.
De Ligt, 19, is the hottest property in world football after a superb season at Ajax.
Barcelona and Manchester United have both been linked with a big money move for the centre-back.
While some reports have suggested Liverpool are also in the hunt, the ECHO understands that is not that case and the club are not trying to secure his services.
De Ligt was in action on Thursday night as his Netherlands side took on England in the Nations League semi-final in Portugal.
The youngster managed to get on the scoresheet as Holland progressed to the final with a 3-1 extra-time success.
Speaking ahead of the game, Carragher explained that he is expecting big things from the defender - starting with a possible huge transfer fee this summer.
Carragher was working as a pundit for Sky Sports and he had a chat with Pierre van Hooijdonk ahead of the match, who told him that feel many expect De Ligt will be better than Van Dijk.
“Well I think he possibly will [become the world’s most expensive defender this summer],” Carragher said.
“Pierre van Hooijdonk is next door doing the Dutch TV and I was just having a chat with him before.
“The feeling in Holland is De Ligt will be better than Van Dijk.
“Van Dijk at De Ligt’s age hadn’t even been thought about of playing for Holland.
“It took until it came to the Premier League, not even at Celtic, where he started to establish himself in the Dutch team.
"So what De Ligt’s doing at 19 is unbelievable."
