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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Jack Watson

Manchester City and Barcelona transfer target Matthijs De Ligt says he wants to stay at Ajax for now

Matthijs de Ligt and Leroy Sane could be teammates next year ( Getty )

Manchester City and Barcelona transfer target Matthijs De Ligt revealed that he would prefer to remain at Ajax this season before considering a move away.

The 19-year-old Ajax captain partnered Virgil Van Dijk in central defence as the Netherlands beat Germany 3-0 in their Uefa Nations League group and has been impressing clubs in Europe with his performances this season.

Manchester City and Barcelona are some of the clubs reportedly interested in the Ajax academy graduate, although it seems he is settled in the Dutch capital, for now.

The Ajax captain is in demand (Getty)

When asked after he would prefer to move to ‘Manchester City or Barcelona’ after Saturday’s match, he replied straight away with “Ajax! The newspapers need to write something, it’s normal (the stories).”

He was then pushed on where he would prefer to spend a weekend and admitted that Barcelona gets his vote because he prefers the weather. 

Ajax sporting director Marc Overmars is adamant the sharp-talking youngster will not leave in January, but could not confirm if they would be able to keep him in the summer.

“The percentage that De Ligt leaves Ajax in January is zero per cent,” he told Laroma24.it.  Asked whether he could be sold in the summer, he replied, “yes, I can confirm it is a possibility.”

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