Paris Saint-Germain are offering Ajax’s Matthijs de Ligt the biggest financial package and are increasingly hopeful of gazumping every other interested club to a deal.
Barcelona have been the 19-year-old’s preference in terms of pure football, and Manchester United were willing to offer the highest wage with a deal of £350,000 a week.
But sources say the French champions have gone higher as regards the latter.
PSG have also set out a persuasive plan, that explains De Ligt’s role in the team and future.
Barcelona have not yet given up hope, but it is felt by those close to the situation that the French club are now leading the race.
De Ligt was ambiguous when pushed on his future after featuring in the Nations League final against Portugal, with the Netherlands losing 1-0.
“I don’t know, I don’t know,” De Ligt said when asked what colour shirt he would be wearing next season.
