3 reasons why Matthijs de Ligt was right to turn down Barcelona's contract offer

#2 Potentially more financial reward for him if he goes elsewhere

As indicated already, Matthijs de Ligt is spoiled for choice over where his next destination would be, as virtually all the European heavyweights have been linked with his services.

Given the high demand for him, it stands to reason that the Dutch international would be placed at a premium by his club, while his suitors would also attempt to outbid one another with juicy offers to lure him.

As it happened, while Barcelona were willing to match Ajax's valuation of their prized gem, the club was less forthcoming about his salary demands and new reports have emerged that French moneybags are willing to double Barcelona's personal offer to a staggering £13.3m a year which is more than twice the £6m he was offered by Barcelona.

While they might not explicitly come out to say it, money is a critical factor in deciding career paths for footballers (just like the rest of us) and with there being a potential for him to earn more elsewhere, it is heavily justified that De Ligt turned Barcelona down.