Man Utd and Liverpool target De Ligt has already ‘agreed’ a deal to leave Ajax this summer
Barcelona have reportedly pipped other European clubs to the defender's signature, benefiting from their strong relationship with the Amsterdam side
MANCHESTER UNITED and Liverpool have lost the race for Ajax whizkid Matthijs de Ligt's signature, according to reports.
The Dutchman has reportedly agreed a deal with Barcelona and will follow his team-mate Frenkie de Jong to the Nou Camp this summer.
Both Prem sides were facing a fierce competition for De Ligt, 19, who has been one of the most sought-after talents in Europe.
The young centre-back has recently said that he could see himself move to Juventus, although revealed many other clubs have already spoken to his agent Mino Raiola over a potential deal.
But Dutch news outlet De Telegraaf claims De Ligt's future is now "clear" and he is headed to Barcelona.
Their head of sports Valentijn Driessen said: "It's clear that De Ligt will leave Ajax for Barca.
"Ajax left it clear to Barcelona that they don't have to pay extra for Matthijs, unlike for other clubs."
Ajax left it clear to Barcelona that they don’t have to pay extra for Matthijs, unlike for other clubs.
Valentijn Driessen, De Telegraaf
Barcelona indeed seemed to have an advantage over other European clubs due to their blossoming relationship with Ajax.
The Catalans have already signed midfield maestro Frenkie de Jong, 21, from the Amsterdam outfit in a £65m deal.
De Jong even revealed his new club asked him to make sure Ajax dump Barca's bitter rivals Real Madrid out of the Champions League last month.
And so they did, stunning the Spanish giants with a 4-1 victory at the Bernabeu.
Also, the La Liga champs have reportedly offered the Dutch side an option to loan a number of their academy talents to sweeten the deal for De Ligt
Juan Miranda, Oriol Busquets, Riqui Puing and Jean Clair Todibo were among the names discussed by the two clubs.
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But De Ligt's potential arrival opens the doors for Barca defender Samuel Umtiti, 25, to leave the club.
United have reportedly been interested in the French centre-back, who could be available for £51.5m.
However, former Red Devils player Mikael Silvestre warned Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, that Umtiti lacks "the X-Factor" to succeed at Old Trafford.
