Matthijs de Ligt has been told to “choose Pep Guardiola over Lionel Messi”, with Louis van Gaal advising the Ajax defender to opt for a move to Manchester City rather than one to Barcelona.
The 19-year-old centre-half has several options to consider heading towards the summer transfer window.
A move to Camp Nou, allowing him to follow in the footsteps of Frenkie de Jong, has been mooted for some time.
De Ligt has a big call to make, with former Ajax boss Peter Bosz telling Fox Sports:
“I think De Ligt fits perfectly with Manchester City.
“[Vincent] Kompany is already gone and Nicolas Otamendi is not good enough. I would love to see him next to Aymeric Laporte.”
Former Netherlands boss Van Gaal agrees with that assessment, adding:
“I think exactly the same. Although De Ligt can go to Barcelona too, because I don’t like their central defenders either.
“He could play at Barcelona, but he could play for Manchester City also, and in that case, I would choose Pep Guardiola over Lionel Messi.”
