Barcelona’s top summer target revealed

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Barcelona are looking to bolster their backline in the winter transfer window by eyeing a move for Ajax’s teenage sensation Matthijs de Ligt, report Mundo Deportivo.

Despite the presence of Gerard Pique and French star Samuel Umtiti in the side, the Catalans are still looking to fill the void that Carles Puyol left behind, with Thomas Vermaelen and Javier Mascherano not exactly regulars.

The Barcelona chiefs believe that De Ligt is the most feasible option and their interest in the 18-year-old is increasing. Former team-mate Davinson Sanchez was also on the top of Barcelona’s shortlist of defenders, but fell out of it following the Colombian’s big money switch to Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur.

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A host of other defenders, including Athletic Bilbao duo Aymeric Laporte and Yeray Alvarez are also on the shortlist, while there was interest in Real Socieded’s Inigo Martinez last summer before Josep Maria Bartomeu pulled the plug on a possible deal.

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