Despite reports that Manchester United have ended their interest in Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt, the player himself has muddied the waters once again by speaking about his future.
The Dutchman has said there are a number of clubs interested in him, and denied that Barcelona would be his preferred choice if he were to move this summer:
“No. I don’t have a dream club apart from Ajax. The only dream I had was to play for Ajax. I know there is a lot of interest but I don’t rule out staying.”
“A lot is being written and said. That has been true for the whole year. It doesn’t make me crazy, so I have no problem there’s being so much written.”
“Frenkie de Jong already made his decision and I haven’t, that’s the way it is. You look at what’s the best for you, you need to make your own decision. Several clubs are interested, that’s right.”
Fans on Twitter have had a mixed reaction to de Ligt’s latest remarks:
He’s coming, I can feel it
— LueFFa (@kelembe_lufefe) 26 May 2019
If it was already done he wouldn’t he talking like this and I mean Done going to Barca. There is hope honestly
— Jυʂƚιɳ ! (@Justin_AnnorK) 26 May 2019
United fans atm pic.twitter.com/1dLZJFxJct
— Monsieur Cantona (@manutdsigning) 27 May 2019
Said nothing about trophies, so yeah, it’s happening.
— David (@DaROYALemperor) 27 May 2019
We have a chance
— Deezed Manchester (@DzBlueWhale) 27 May 2019
Ffs pic.twitter.com/SC1GYe7Cmd
— AJ (@EdWoodyinho) 27 May 2019
So off to Barcelona then. No way he is going to develop playing alongside chuckle brothers and Young
— Prasad. (@UtdPrasad) 27 May 2019
Barca confirmed then
— Alex Clarke (@Alex_Clarke96) 27 May 2019
Looks like he’s squeezing some extra money out of Barca. They both should give Ajax a few more years, anyway. They could win the Champions League there
— MATTY? (@MATAIUS7) 27 May 2019
??definitely not at yanited ????
— Ronnie (@JehuRonnie) 27 May 2019
What does seem clear is de Ligt hasn’t made a firm decision yet on where he will be playing his football next season.
As well as United and Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal have all been mentioned as possible destinations for the centre-back.
De Ligt, who is reportedly valued at £65m by Ajax, is captain of his club, despite being just 19 years of age, and helped his team win the Eredivisie title and reach the semi-finals of the Champions League.