Liverpool have been ‘in talks’ with Matthijs De Ligt , according to respected Spanish journalist Guillem Balague .
De Ligt had appeared set to join Barcelona , but a host of other clubs are interested in the 19-year-old, including Liverpool , Manchester United and Manchester City .
Manchester United desperately need to overhaul their struggling defence, while Manchester City need a replacement for the departing Vincent Kompany.
If he plumped for Liverpool, De Ligt would partner up with fellow Dutch centre-back Virgil van Dijk to make the Reds’ rearguard even more formidable.
Balague was asked about the Dutchman by BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily Podcast .
He claimed Liverpool are definitely interested in the defender and have “been talking to him” about a potential move.
According to Mundo Deportivo , the role of agent Mino Raiola is proving a complication when it comes to De Ligt’s future destination.
De Ligt was said to be keen to follow Frenkie De Jong to Barcelona, but he is being influenced far more by Raiola than his team-mate was with his agent.
De Jong is understood to have rejected high offers in order to follow his heart to Barcelona, which he felt was the best fit.
Barcelona are trying to convince De Ligt the same is true for him – but Raiola wants to listen to how much other clubs will offer.