Report: Barcelona close to Matthijs de Ligt agreement

Barcelona are on the verge of completing a deal for Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt, according to a report.

The Catalan giants are one of a number of clubs believed to be in the running to sign the Dutch centre-back, who has skippered his side to the semi-finals of the Champions League.

De Ligt recently hinted that he prefers a move to Juventus, where he would link up with Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, but ESPN claims that Barcelona have almost won the race.

Barca have the situation "under control", the report suggests, and missing out on him now would match the disappointment faced when Antoine Griezmann turned them down at the last minute last summer.

Bayern Munich are also said to have made contact with De Ligt's agent Mino Raiola, but the Spanish champions do not expect the teenage defender to discuss a move with any other clubs.