In an entirely predictable turn of events, Manchester United have today confirmed that they will not be signing Ajax’s 19-year-old defender Matthijs De Ligt.
The teenage Ajax captain is one of Europe’s most sought after players, after leading his side to the Eredivisie title and the semi-final of the Champions League.
De Ligt is widely expected to follow his highly-rated teammate Frenkie De Jong and join La Liga champions Barcelona this summer, further strengthening the historic links between Catalunya and Amsterdam.
However, they don’t call the transfer window silly season for no reason, and the rumour mill went into overdrive last night, when Barcelona based journalist Gerard Romero – a reporter not even verified on twitter, but a source many have called ‘respected’ and ‘reliable’ – announced that De Ligt was ‘very close’ to agreeing to a deal to move to Manchester United.
[Tier 1] Gerard Romero: “De Ligt is very close to Manchester United. Nothing is certain but the offer is very good for the player.” #MUFC pic.twitter.com/k7lKoOO9Ok
— Manchester United (@ManUtds_News) May 25, 2019
Of course, social media was soon awash with reports that De Ligt had been convinced of a move to Manchester because of money, the clubs history, and the promise of being made captain as the 20-time league champions look to regain their place amongst Europe’s elite.
Sadly for those United fans who naively got caught up in this rather questionable storyline, the club itself let it be known today that they have no interest in signing De Ligt because they predictably expect him to move to Barcelona.
Manchester United have ruled out a move for Ajax defender Matthijs De Ligt, according to Sky sources.
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 26, 2019
Well, it was fun while it latest anyway. Man United fans should not fret too much over their sides’ chances of success next season, however, as they have these two warriors ready to take the club forward.
This is the closest Lingard and Rashford will get to a Champions League ball all next season…#Treble99 pic.twitter.com/N4cPy00sTe
— BenchWarmers (@BeWarmers) May 26, 2019
