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Exclusive: Raiola wants De Ligt auction amid frozen Barca move, Juve informed

Exclusive: Raiola wants De Ligt auction amid frozen Barca move, Juve informed

  • Fabrizio Romano. Translated by Nikita Fesyukov
Mattijs de Ligt is anxious. He wants to know his future as soon as possible after an extraordinary season at Ajax, ready to make the big leap. Mino Raiola has chosen a different strategy than that set by the agents of Frenkie De Jong, with the goal to start an international auction for the Dutch centre-back.

Barcelona have been the front runners to sign De Ligt for months now and a few weeks ago, president Bartomeu was convinced he has the defender in his hand with a 5-year contract ready for the player at the Nou Camp, with only the final details to be discussed with Ajax.

However, the player's request has now changed and the expected salary is now close to 8-9 million euros per season. De Ligt has changed his 'status' with the recent Champions League performances and his salary request has subsequently risen.

Barcelona are taking their time and are still unsure whether to offer such a high salary to a player who is not a guaranteed starter, despite being one of the brightest talents in world football at the moment.

Thus, Raiola's strategy is working and the Italian agent is waiting for relaunches from Premier League clubs, with Juve also informed about the development. The Bianconeri do not like participating in auctions but if the situation with Barcelona remained frozen within a few weeks, Juve could consider whether to return to the scene with a new offer.

Meanwhile, Ajax is waiting and Barcelona, despite being displaced, remains in pole position for De Ligt, who is set to be one of the protagonists of the upcoming summer transfer market.