Liverpool join race for Ajax captain

LONDON: Liverpool have reportedly entered the race to sign Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt.

The 19-year-old is one of Europe’s most coveted players after starring for Ajax in their run to the Champions League semi-final.

And, according to Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague, Liverpool have ‘been talking’ with De Ligt as they consider weighing up a move for the Holland international.

De Ligt is widely expected to depart Ajax in the summer with Barcelona tipped to make a move for the defender.

The Catalan giants have already swooped for De Ligt’s teammate, Frenkie De Jong, with reports in Spain suggest the La Liga leaders will return for a second swoop.

De Jong has already played seven times for the Netherlands and notched 45 appearances for Ajax last season, scoring five times.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich are confident of quickly wrapping up a move for Leroy Sane due to their relationship with former manager Pep Guardiola.

Guardiola is prepared to let Sane leave Manchester City and, according to German publication

Kicker, Sane will only consider departing the blue half of Manchester for Bayern.

They also say that Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi had been first choice until he injured his Achilles and a new winger is a priority with Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben both leaving.

Guardiola retains a good relationship with key figures at Bayern following his time as manager there from 2013 until 2016.

Despite playing 47 times for City this season, Sane has often found himself behind the likes of Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva in the City pecking order.

The 23-year-old Sane scored 16 times in all competitions to help City become the first side to complete an English domestic treble.

Though Sane has two years left on contract, City have made enquiries for Benfica’s Joao Felix as they consider strengthening their forward options.