Matthijs De Ligt transfer: Ajax star hints at Barcelona switch as PSG and Manchester United compete for Dutch centre-back

The Netherlands defender is assessing his options ahead of a big transfer this summer

Matthijs De Ligt has hinted at opting for Barcelona over Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.

The Ajax centre-back is at the centre of a tug of war between Europe’s biggest clubs after impressing in the Champions League and the Nations League finals last week.

De Ligt has now opened up on where his future lies, hinting at choosing Barcelona due to his priority being game time over money.

PSG had been confident of landing the 19-year-old, but in an interview with Mundo Deportivo, De Ligt appears open to following Dutch teammate Frenkie De Jong to the Nou Camp.

“I still do not know what my heart says. In my holidays I will be able to think about it and decide what I am going to do with my future,” De Ligt said.

“The most important thing is to know that in the team where I go I can have a leading role and play many games.

“I do not know when I’m going to have it resolved, but I’m going to take my time. Money is not the problem.

De Ligt challenges Ronaldo in the Nations League final (AP)

“Of course it would be nice to play De Jong at Barça, but I must also look at what is best for me.”

Despite Barcelona already having Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti, Clement Lenglet and young talent Jean-Clair Todibo, De Ligt insists “competition is not something that scares me” and that it is normal at a club of Barcelona’s stature.