Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt has named the club he could join next, and it's not good news for Arsenal.
The Dutch wonderkid has emerged as a shock transfer target for the Gunners in recent weeks as it's been reported that they've scouted the Netherlands international on numerous occasions over the past 12 months.
Interestingly, amid links to becoming Arsenal's new director of football, Marc Overmars named de Ligt as the first player he would look to sign if he was to join another club.
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"For me, De Ligt can play easily for any of the six best teams in the world. Right now, he has the power, the mentality. He has the heart. If I worked at another club, I would like to sign him immediately," he told AS .
Overmars to the Emirates Stadium is unlikely to happen after he signed a new deal with Ajax earlier in the month.
The same can be said about a potential swoop for de Ligt as he has dropped a major hint about joining Serie A leaders Juventus if and when he does leave the Eredivisie outfit.
"I really like [Giorgio] Chiellini, he is very strong, one of the best ever defenders," he told Tuttosport . "I also appreciate [Leonardo] Bonucci, they are two of the best centre-backs in Europe.
"For a young man like me, they are both two models to be inspired by.
“Me at Juve? It could be, but there are also other interested clubs. We’ll see at the right time. Now, I’m focused on Ajax and my agent Mino Raiola will take care of it."
With that said, the Gunners have been handed massive boost with the news in regards to de Ligt's teammate at Ajax.
football.london understands that head coach Unai Emery is keen to sign a left-back this summer and reported target Nicolas Tagliafico has rejected Ajax's offer of a new contract and his representative Ricardo Schlieper has said the defender is now prepared to move on.
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