Manchester United have ruled themselves out of the race to sign Ajax star Matthijs de Ligt this summer, a report claims. The 19-year-old has emerged as one of European football’s most-sought after defenders after an incredible season with the Dutch champions, and he is widely believed to be hoping to join Barcelona, along with teammate Frenkie De Jong.

The Sunday Mirror had claimed that the Old Trafford club were readying a £70m bid to seal a deal for De Ligt, but if the latest update from Sky is to be believed then that is wide of the mark.
Reports then emerged suggesting that Barca are struggling to agree terms for De Ligt, thanks in no small part to his agent Mino Raiola trying to engineer him a bigger package elsewhere.

Then it was claimed that United have offered De Ligt an incredible €14m a year deal over a five-year contract – a salary that would equate to £235,000 a week – and more than double what Barcelona had been willing to pay.

Manchester United have ruled out a move for Ajax defender Matthijs De Ligt, according to Sky sources.

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 26, 2019

 

However, sources have reportedly told Sky Sports that United are not in the running to sign the Dutchman this summer, contrary to reports earlier in the week.
De Ligt was also an apparent target for Liverpool before Jurgen Klopp made his stance clear on the player, while Manchester City have also been linked.