Italian giants Juventus have won the battle to sign sought-after Ajax central defender Matthijs de Ligt, 19, in a five-year deal that will see the Dutch club paid around €70 million (US$80 million), according to reports.
Juve are believed to have beaten off competition from the likes of Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Barcelona to secure the signature of de Ligt, who was hugely impressive as he captained Ajax to the Champions League semi-finals last season.
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The Dutch international is said to have decided to make the switch to Turin on a five-year deal that would see him earn between €15 and €20 million a season, although the details are yet to be finalized.
The Serie A champions are also favorites to bring in midfielder Adrien Rabiot, 24, on a free transfer from PSG, meaning they will likely not pursue Manchester United’s Paul Pogba.
Star forward Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly made a pitch to de Ligt to join him at Juve when the pair met for their respective countries in the UEFA Nations League final this summer.
Also on rt.com 'I was a little shocked': In-demand de Ligt responds to Ronaldo's request to join him at JuventusDe Ligt was part of the Ajax team that knocked Juventus out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals last season.