Manchester United have received a hammer blow in their pursuit of young Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt, who is enjoying life at Juventus.
The centre back was linked with a move to the Premier League in the January transfer window after his agent, Mino Raiola, claimed he was ready to leave the Serie A.
Raiola told NRC in December: “He is ready for a new step. He thinks that too.”
Before doubling down on the statement, telling NOS: “We can all think of the clubs that Matthijs could go to.
“In the summer we have to see if there are clubs on the market. That can be the Premier League, but also Barcelona, Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain.”
However, De Ligt appears to no longer hold that view as he has revealed that he is thoroughly enjoying his time at Juve and only focused on helping the club progress at this moment in time.
The former Ajax star did not say that he outright was against a move at the end of the season, though it was implied.
He told Rondo: “What Mino Raiola said (leave in the summer) happened three months, so many things can change. At the moment I’m focused on this season.
“I am really enjoying myself here at Juventus. I’m learning more every week and I really like that.”
The 22-year-old’s statement is likely to have sent shockwaves through Old Trafford as the Red Devils were reportedly keeping the defender in their thoughts for the summer and believed he was an upgrade on their current options, says Calcio Mercato.
De Ligt was tipped to progress into being one of the best defenders in the world when he left Ajax in 2019, but it has taken him time to adjust to life in the Serie A.
But Juve are now reaping the benefits of keeping faith in the defender and he has started 22 league matches so far this season and is a confident, composed star in their backline.
And with that in mind, it will be no shock that United are interested given that their current defence has been somewhat ridiculed this season, especially captain Harry Maguire.
The English defender has struggled, especially under Ralf Rangnick, this campaign and Rio Ferdinand has revealed that he thinks that the former Leicester City star will continue to do so if he doesn't become quicker.
Speaking on his Vibe with Five YouTube channel, the former England international defender said: “His pace doesn't allow for that [style of play], he's always gonna be looking over his shoulder.
"If I'm a centre forward, if I'm one of the quick centre-forwards or quick wide players, quick attackers, I would be hanging around where Harry Maguire is.
"For all the good traits that he has in his game, that is a big weakness in his game and that is a fundamental of all of the top teams is to be able to play one-v-one on the halfway line.
"So, I think for Maguire, long-term - unless he can find that extra yard of pace - it's going to be difficult for him."
It remains to be seen whether United’s new manager, set to be appointed in the summer, will continue the club’s pursuit of De Ligt despite the defender’s recent claims.
