Barcelona enquire about Matthijs de Ligt with Juventus flop open to transfer after nightmare debut season in Italy
JUVENTUS centre-back Matthijs de Ligt could be on the move after just one uninspiring year in Italy with Barcelona reportedly ready to bring him to the Nou Camp.
The 20-year-old - who joined from Dutch club Ajax for £67.8million - has been plagued by inconsistent performances during his first season.
His career got off to the worst possible start after he scored an own goal on his full debut, and the Holland international hasn't look settled ever since.
And despite featuring in 27 games in all competitions for the Old Lady, his time playing under Maurizio Sarri is already in question.
According to , Barcelona - who failed to lure De Ligt to LaLiga last summer - remain interested in the player.
It has been claimed that both the Blaugrana and the Bianconeri are aware of the defender's poor season, with a move to potentially be on the cards.
Barca are understood to be in the market for a new centre-half to provide competition for the ageing Gerard Pique, 33, while Samuel Umtiti cannot be relied upon due to his repeated injuries.
NOU BEGINNING
The Spanish news outlet suggests that De Ligt is seen as the perfect choice to come in, with Barca prepared to offer Juve midfielder Arthur in exchange for him.
And they state that De Ligt is willing to swap Serie A for Spain after a nightmare campaign in which he has flattered to deceive.
Should he join Barcelona, he would link-up with Frenkie de Jong - who also departed Ajax last year.
De Ligt's Dutch compatriot Jaap Stam has warned him against leaving Juventus so soon as he declared he has to learn to live with the pressure.
He told TuttoJuve.com: "I think it’s fundamental that De Ligt stays at Juve for many years, because it’s the only way to improve, by dealing with the best, learning to live with pressure in important Champions League and Serie A games.
"He was criticised a little but had to understand how to adapt to a different style of football.
"He’s still young and Matthijs is at a big club with far more pressure than he was accustomed to.
"The standard of opponent he is facing in Italy is also far higher than in the Netherlands.