Liverpool Boost As Barcelona End Interest In Defensive Target

Premier League table toppers Liverpool have been handed a huge boost in their pursuit of one of the hottest properties in European football following the news that Barcelona have ended interest in the player.

Liverpool have previously been strongly linked with a move for Ajax Amsterdam defender Matthijs De Ligt who’s widely regarded as one of the most exciting young prospects on the European football scene.

Italian news portal calciomercato claim that Spanish La Liga giants Barcelona have pulled out of the race to sign the Dutch international centre back.

The Blaugrana wanted to sign him as a long-term replacement for ageing Spanish defender Gerard Pique.

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Matthijs De Ligt has caught the eye of several European heavyweights with a series of impressive performances for both club and country.

Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk was full of praise for him when he talked about the 19-year-old in an interview during the October international break.

Van Dijk and De Ligt are international colleagues and they have formed a lethal centre back partnership for the Dutch national team.

Both players were crucial as the Netherlands secured a spot in the semifinals of the UEFA Nations League ahead of world champions France and Germany In Group 1 of League A.