Matthijs de Ligt

Do we have any credible sources linking him to us? Seems strange that he hasn't signed for Barca yet given the months of speculation, must be having second thoughts.
 
I found it interesting when De Ligt talked to Sky the other day and said something like "I don't know yet, England is very competetive", as if he has received offers from Premier League. It would be weird mentioning the PL if he hasn't received any offers.
The only two teams that would be in for him is City and Liverpool, since United 'apparently' have no interest in the player (not that he would be a realistic target for them anyway). None of the other top six teams have really been linked with him the past six month.

I struggle to believe Liverpool (who already paid 75m for Van Dijk) now will splash an equal amount for De Ligt. Their defense is not their concern, meaning we should be the remaining team that has offered him something.

It would be criminal not to at least try and pursue him, Raiola involved or not. I think City is all in for De Ligt while someone is leaking to media we're all in for Maguire, as a diversion.

I should be a private investigator...
 
MCI said:
I found it interesting when De Ligt talked to Sky the other day and said something like "I don't know yet, England is very competetive", as if he has received offers from Premier League. It would be weird mentioning the PL if he hasn't received any offers.
The only two teams that would be in for him is City and Liverpool, since United 'apparently' have no interest in the player (not that he would be a realistic target for them anyway). None of the other top six teams have really been linked with him the past six month.

I struggle to believe Liverpool (who already paid 75m for Van Dijk) now will splash an equal amount for De Ligt. Their defense is not their concern, meaning we should be the remaining team that has offered him something.

It would be criminal not to at least try and pursue him, Raiola involved or not. I think City is all in for De Ligt while someone is leaking to media we're all in for Maguire, as a diversion.

I should be a private investigator...
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You not related to Columbo are you? You maybe right given we have not dismissed it. I take your points re Liverpool but think they will be in/desperate to get him. He's dykes rent boy and will see this as a massive coup.
 
Liverpool urgently need a back-up fullback and a creative midfielder. I highly doubt they will go for 70-80m De Ligt. I sure hope not, as they would never concede any goals in the league, ever again. Van Dijk is not a kid anymore but they would have a frightening defense for atleast five years.
 
MCI said:
Liverpool urgently need a back-up fullback and a creative midfielder. I highly doubt they will go for 70-80m De Ligt. I sure hope not, as they would never concede any goals in the league, ever again. Van Dijk is not a kid anymore but they would have a frightening defense for atleast five years.
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Ajax conceded 32 in a shit league and 3 against Spurs in the CL over 2 games.

You really need to stop making such silly posts.
 
He does seem like a great signing but a lot of that is potential and how good he is for his age.

If someone else signs him they won’t have the best CB in the world, but a player who may or may not become it.

We do have the gap and he could learn a lot from Guardiola, however our wage structure and his agent means it’s highly unlikely.

Maguire will be cheaper overall and we will be no worse if for it this season.
 
Stoned Rose said:
Ajax conceded 32 in a shit league and 3 against Spurs in the CL over 2 games.

You really need to stop making such silly posts.
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Putting two and two together is not your strong side, is it?

Is it reasonable to expect De Ligt to stop those 32 goals by himself? Did Ajax play with a one-man backline all season? What do you think will happen when you add Van Dijk, Robertson and Alexander-Arnold to that back four? Liverpool already have the best centreback in the league, the same goes for the fullbacks.
 
Would have no problem signing De Ligt in fact he's probably ideal, however it is clear his wages will be staggering and considering the club decided Sanchez wasn't worth that as it would mean Sterling, De Bruyne et al would want and would deserve more, I really feel it is impossible unless De Ligt puts silly money as a long term target.

Still maintain Barcelona will get it done pretty soon.
 
If Liverpool have been speaking to him, they might have asked him to not speak about the possibility until after the CL final? It could unsettle their existing CBs. Raiola will try and link as many clubs as possible to maximise the fees.
 
Fuzzy80 said:
He does seem like a great signing but a lot of that is potential and how good he is for his age.

If someone else signs him they won’t have the best CB in the world, but a player who may or may not become it.

We do have the gap and he could learn a lot from Guardiola, however our wage structure and his agent means it’s highly unlikely.

Maguire will be cheaper overall and we will be no worse if for it this season.
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Other than a slight advantage in agility, I haven't yet seen an aspect of the game, in terms of easily identifiable tangibles - so we're not talking things like positioning, leadership, character etc. which takes much deeper scouting - in which Maguire isn't either as good as or better than De Ligt.
Of course, as you say, there's a 5 year age gap which makes you think what De Ligt could become (tho he'll never be as good in the air as Maguire), which is a perfectly valid argument to prefer De Ligt, but in terms of right now Maguire is the better bet (certainly not a worse bet), and I'm sure more people would see that if Maguire played in a foreign league for more fashionable clubs than Leicester & Hull, and was called De Magt or Magucci (and this is the truth even if it is a Fat Sam argument)

Tackling
Maguire 9 De Ligt 8
Heading
Maguire 10 De Ligt 8
Passing (short/long)
Maguire 7/8 De Ligt 7/7
Dribbling (driving runs)
Maguire 8 De Ligt 7
Pace
Maguire 7 De Ligt 7
Agility
Maguire 6 De Ligt 7
Strength
Maguire 10 De Ligt 9
Composure
Maguire 8 De Ligt 8

I wouldn't claim this is exhaustive or 100% accurate but I don't think anyone can argue for drastic changes
 
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Any chance De Ligt's actual agent will just tell him straight up "Hey Matthijs.. Perhaps you should go and enjoy your game and don't think about the money, atleast just for now?" After all Raiola isn't his agent but only the guy to make the connections with the clubs and of course get him a solid contract..

Oh yeah. Matthijs De Ligt's agent is former Netherlands international, Barry Hulshoff.
 
Silva_Spell said:
Other than a slight advantage in agility, I haven't yet seen an aspect of the game, in terms of easily identifiable tangibles - so we're not talking things like positioning, leadership, character etc. which takes much deeper scouting - in which Maguire isn't either as good as or better than De Ligt.
Of course, as you say, there's a 5 year age gap which makes you think what De Ligt could become (tho he'll never be as good in the air as Maguire), which is a perfectly valid argument to prefer De Ligt, but in terms of right now Maguire is the better bet (certainly not a worse bet), and I'm sure more people would see that if Maguire played in a foreign league for more fashionable clubs than Leicester & Hull, and was called De Magt or Magucci (and this is the truth even if it is a Fat Sam argument)

Tackling
Maguire 9 De Ligt 8
Heading
Maguire 10 De Ligt 8
Passing (short/long)
Maguire 7/8 De Ligt 7/7
Dribbling (driving runs)
Maguire 8 De Ligt 7
Pace
Maguire 7 De Ligt 7
Agility
Maguire 6 De Ligt 7
Strength
Maguire 10 De Ligt 9
Composure
Maguire 8 De Ligt 8

I wouldn't claim this is exhaustive or 100% accurate but I don't think anyone can argue for drastic changes
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Morning Harry
 
MCI said:
Putting two and two together is not your strong side, is it?

Is it reasonable to expect De Ligt to stop those 32 goals by himself? Did Ajax play with a one-man backline all season? What do you think will happen when you add Van Dijk, Robertson and Alexander-Arnold to that back four? Liverpool already have the best centreback in the league, the same goes for the fullbacks.
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So, you are claiming that if the red scouse sign De Ligt, they will never concede a league goal again and then you try to push back when being called silly. You are not silly mate, just outright stupid
 
MCI said:
Liverpool urgently need a back-up fullback and a creative midfielder. I highly doubt they will go for 70-80m De Ligt. I sure hope not, as they would never concede any goals in the league, ever again. Van Dijk is not a kid anymore but they would have a frightening defense for atleast five years.
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So you are saying Liverpool is dumb enough to scupper a supposed 'generational talent' at CB just to get a backup RB? Come on now, that doesn't even make sense. Not to mention Gomez does a very good job at RB, so he can easily backup both roles if they got De Ligt. Also they have the Ox coming back, so they don't desperately need anything. Who ever they add, just like us, would be to improve their already quality squad.

Like us, they don't have any glaring weaknesses. They can add wherever they find exceptional talent.
 
I'm sure he'll go to Barcelona, he and his agent know that, all the rumors around are just to get a better deal from Barcelona.
So he uses rags and that's understandable, but why we take part in it? As we have stated that we have no intention of paying high sums for Griezmann or Mbappe, so should it be now as well. If City is not really an option, why we not just say it in public- we are not interested and will not be a tool in his agent's game.
 
Fuzzy80 said:
He does seem like a great signing but a lot of that is potential and how good he is for his age.

If someone else signs him they won’t have the best CB in the world, but a player who may or may not become it.

We do have the gap and he could learn a lot from Guardiola, however our wage structure and his agent means it’s highly unlikely.

Maguire will be cheaper overall and we will be no worse if for it this season.
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This is the short time thinking that nowadays is so typical for United, not us. I’d rather we signed De Ligt for his age and already proven leadership within Ajax. He is already better than Maguire in nearly every aspect. Most importantly he knows how to play Guardiola’s way as he has been at Ajax and was managed by Ten Hag this season who has been learning from Pep when he was at Bayern at the same time. Physically he is up for playing in the PL. We might not have the best CB straight away, nor will we have with Maguire. Mahrez the prime example. Maguire isn’t used to play a high line defence. De Ligt is. Maguire or De Ligt would for me be an easy choice. And yes I’m Dutch but hardly subjective when it comes to want the best suitable players at my club. DevLigt could’ve been from the Faroer for my likening. It’s simply age, leadership and the way both these players have been moulded in the way they have.

Buy De Light, we already have Garcia waiting in the wings. And with Laporte and Stones a perfect quartet to lead us through the next phase.
 
eversince 76 said:
This is the short time thinking that nowadays is so typical for United, not us. I’d rather we signed De Ligt for his age and already proven leadership within Ajax. He is already better than Maguire in nearly every aspect. Most importantly he knows how to play Guardiola’s way as he has been at Ajax and was managed by Ten Hag this season who has been learning from Pep when he was at Bayern at the same time. Physically he is up for playing in the PL. We might not have the best CB straight away, nor will we have with Maguire. Mahrez the prime example. Maguire isn’t used to play a high line defence. De Ligt is. Maguire or De Ligt would for me be an easy choice. And yes I’m Dutch but hardly subjective when it comes to want the best suitable players at my club. DevLigt could’ve been from the Faroer for my likening. It’s simply age, leadership and the way both these players have been moulded in the way they have.

Buy De Light, we already have Garcia waiting in the wings. And with Laporte and Stones a perfect quartet to lead us through the next phase.
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Have to agree on all points –the sticking point seems to be breaking our wage structure, but I think the partnership he and Laporte would forge, could be one of the best ever.
 
MCI said:
Putting two and two together is not your strong side, is it?

Is it reasonable to expect De Ligt to stop those 32 goals by himself? Did Ajax play with a one-man backline all season? What do you think will happen when you add Van Dijk, Robertson and Alexander-Arnold to that back four? Liverpool already have the best centreback in the league, the same goes for the fullbacks.
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Deluded.

Van Dijk and Matip aren’t better than Laporte and Stones.

Trent isn’t better than Walker.

Left back, I’ll give you.

De Ligt is 19 and has had a good season in a league nowhere near as demanding as ours.

The only person who’s putting 2 and 2 together and coming up with 6 is you.

And you’re wrong.
 
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