Matthijs de Ligt is closing in on a summer transfer to Barcelona - although the involvement of his agent Mino Raiola is proving to be a stumbling block.
The Ajax captain is set to leave this summer with Barcelona leading a host of clubs interested in his services.
Manchester United and Liverpool are both keen on the 19-year-old, with the Premier League sides buoyed by Barca's failure - as yet - to complete the deal.
MARCA reports Barca remain in pole position for De Ligt, with the La Liga champions stepping up their efforts to land him and they are said to be 'one step away' from finalising the deal.
An agreement is reportedly already in place over De Ligt's wages at the Nou Camp but one potential sticking point is Raiola.
He has recently been suspended from football activity for three months, although Raiola is likely to have other representatives managing the potential transfers of his clients.
That said, Barca do not have a particularly good relationship with the super-agent and have no plans to become embroiled in another transfer saga.
They will hope to strike a deal in the coming weeks but the two Premier League clubs will be keeping tabs on the situation.
Liverpool are likely to have the edge on their rivals after United failed to qualify for next season's Champions League.
Why Liverpool are growing in confidence in Matthijs de Ligt transfer rat race
Barca have already agreed a deal to sign De Ligt's Ajax teammate Frenkie de Jong but their business won't end there.
Ernesto Valverde's men are also set to complete the signing of Antoine Griezmann after the confirmed he will leave Atletico Madrid this summer.
