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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Paul Gorst

Matthijs De Ligt insists he is yet to decide future amid Premier League transfer links

Matthijs De Ligt has admitted he has yet to decide his Ajax future amid transfer links to the Premier League.

Liverpool, Manchester United and Man City have all been credited with an interest in the Ajax skipper this season with the Netherlands international starring for a young Ajax team that were seconds away an appearance in the Champions League final last week.

De Ligt has blossomed into one of the finest young defenders in Europe since making his first-team debut in the Eredivisie in 2016 and interest is believed to be strong from a number of clubs.

Liverpool have been one of the European giants linked in connection with a big-money move for De Ligt and the 19-year-old admits his future could lie away from the Johan Cruyff ArenA.

Ajax's Matthijs de Ligt celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League semifinal second leg (AP)

However, Virgil van Dijk's international colleague insists he is yet to make a decision on what his next move is.

"Has it been my last game at the Johan Cruyff Arena? I do not know yet," De Ligt is quoted as saying.

"There are conversations, but there is still no agreement. With who? The newspapers write, so choose one yourself."

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Speaking last week, ex-Reds defender Jamie Carragher said he would love to see De Ligt pitch up at Anfield this summer.

Asked if he would like to see De Ligt sign for Jurgen Klopp's Reds, Carragher said: "I'd love that!

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"I have never seen such a good defender at 19 years old. He plays as if he's 29 and at his peak already.

"You can only imagine how good he will be when he actually is 29."

Matthijs de Ligt of Ajax during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax v FC Utrecht at the Johan Cruijff Arena on May 12 (Erwin Spek/Soccrates/Getty Images)

A stumbling block for any potential move however would be Ajax's asking price with De Ligt rated at around £60million.

The Reds are unlikely  to be paying out big sums on transfers  this summer as Klopp seeks to merely fine tune a team that could enter into next season as European champions.

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Liverpool are also well stocked for centre-backs with Joe Gomez and Joel Matip in fine form respectively when paired alongside the PFA Players' Player of the Year Van Dijk.

The Reds finished the campaign with the best defensive record in the Premier League, with just 22 goals shipped all season.

Speaking earlier this year, De Ligt admitted that he would like the chance to play alongside international defensive partner Van Dijk at club level.

Matthijs De Ligt (L) celebrates with Virgil Van Dijk after scoring their first goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 Group C qualification football match between The Netherlands and Germany at the Johan Cruyff Arena (EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)

"Virgil (van Dijk) is a player who has experience in the top leagues," he said in a video on Goal.com.

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"Of course, you would want to learn from him. It’s very helpful playing alongside him in the Dutch team.

"It could happen (De Ligt joining him at Liverpool). He plays for Liverpool, a good club, but I’m not focused on them."

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