Juventus set to pip Manchester City and Barcelona to Dutch sensation

Juventus are looking set to beat Manchester City and Barcelona in the race to sign Ajax star Matthijs de Ligt, according to Calciomercato. 

The teenage centre-back has emerged as only of the most sought after defenders in Europe on the back of a series of mature displays for the Eredivisie giants. 

Tottenham were linked with a move for De Ligt last summer when it looked as though Toby Alderweireld would leave for pastures news. 

However, that move failed to materialise, with City and Barcelona thought to have been leading the way to land the 19-year-old. 

The duo may now miss out on the Netherlands international, though, as reports suggest, Juventus are hoping to convince the youngster to move to Turin. 

De Ligt is represented by Mino Raiola and Juventus are hoping that the good working relationship between the two parties will convince the player to move to Italy. 

Of those aged 21 and under, De Ligt is making the third most passes per game (66.9) in the Eredivisie this season, reinforcing a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of ‘passing’.