Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is looking to weave his magic in the transfer window once again by trying to leapfrog Barcelona to a prime target.
Barcelona are on track to have a good summer period. They are on course to win the treble, Lionel Messi’s contract renovation is on its verge whereas Philippe Coutinho, who has a foot and half outside Barcelona might end up attracting a decent transfer fee. Additionally, Frenkie de Jong has been signed by them with Matthijs de Ligt soon to follow.
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However, arch rivals Real Madrid have entered the pursuit for the Ajax Amsterdam central defender yet again after dropping out since the past few weeks, according to Diario GOL. The Whites are still uncertain as to whether Raphael Varane would be on their books for the next season and find de Ligt to be an interesting prospect in itself.
Barcelona had initially offered 60 million euros for the Netherlands international, but Ajax Amsterdam ended up increasing their evaluation of de Ligt to 90 million euros after the demand in the market, a price tag that didn’t entice Barcelona too much. However, the Catalans did up their offer to 80 million and are hoping that the Dutch side agrees to it now.
Real Madrid are looking to counter their rival’s offer by paying 80 million euros to Ajax Amsterdam in addition to the young talent Martin Odegaard, who has been linked with a transfer to the Netherlands’ capital. Therefore, Ajax might want to sell to Real Madrid given their interest in the Norwegian midfielder. In addition, Madrid are willing to leapfrog Barcelona’s proposed wage for the youngster.
Meanwhile, Matthijs de Ligt continues to prefer Barcelona for the time being. He feels that the system in the Camp Nou will be similar to Ajax’s and would also play alongside players who he has been in touch with as well as his compatriot Frenkie de Jong. But Real Madrid are still very much in the race whereas his Premier League suitors can get ruled out now.
Do you think Real Madrid have enough to convince de Ligt into rejecting Barcelona?