Barcelona confident of beating their European rivals to second Ajax star

Barcelona expect to sign Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt ahead of their European rivals this summer, claims The Independent.

The Spanish giants agreed a £65m deal with Ajax in January to sign Frankie de Jong at the end of the season and are now working on signing his teenage team-mate.

De Ligt, who captains Ajax at the age of just 19, has emerged as the most sought after young defender in Europe this season.

Ajax conceded after their stunning defeat to Tottenham on Wednesday night that the Netherlands international would likely join a club from the Premier League or La Liga this summer.

Both Ajax and Barcelona were on course to meet in the Champions League final only for both to suffer incredible collapses in their semi-final second leg ties this week.

Barcelona are now focussing on strengthening their squad at the end of the season and have De Ligt firmly in their sights in a deal worth £60m.

De Ligt is currently the highest WhoScored rated centre-back in the Eredivisie this season and will hope to finish the season by winning a league and cup double with boyhood club Ajax.