Matthijs de Ligt and consultant Mino Raiola accuse Ajax Amsterdam of breaking their word. The transfer to Juventus thus seems to falter because the transfer fee is being discussed intensively.
“De Ligt hopes that his club will soon come to an agreement with Juventus,” Raiola told the telegraaf. According to the report in the Dutch daily Ajax continues to demand 75 million euros, while Juventus has so far only been able to raise 50 million euros.
Ajax and de Ligt’s advisers agreed in the summer of 2018 that the defender could go for 45 to 50 million euros in 2019. Raiola at least hinted at such an agreement: “Agreements were made with Matthijs, now it’s up to Ajax how the club handles it.”
However, because de Ligt has undergone a rapid development, the club now apparently demands more than the agreed sum. Despite the alleged breach of words, Raiola advised de Ligt to skip a strike or ominous “sick leave”: “That doesn’t suit his style.”
According to Sky Italia, de Ligt called Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri to find out how the game was being played, how it could be used and how the squad was being planned. The conversation is said to have convinced the Dutchman. However, Raiola did not confirm an agreement between the club and the player in his statements.
With Juventus, de Ligt would probably earn around eight million euros net, with bonuses he could reach twelve million euros per year. In addition, an exit clause of 150 million euros is said to have been included in the contract.
Meanwhile, FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are also considered interested. Barcelona has probably already reached an agreement with Ajax, according to Spanish media reports. President Josep Maria Bartomeu had last week stated “quite exactly” to know where de Ligt will play in the coming year.
