Real Madrid withdraw from race for €250m superstar, Manchester United prepare to hijack deal for Chelsea target, and more: Transfer Roundup, 26th January 2019 

Barcelona eye move for Matthijs de Ligt

Matthijs de Ligt could follow in the footsteps of Frenkie de Jong and move from Ajax to Barcelona

Earlier this week, Barcelona announced the signing of Ajax's Frenkie de Jong after a €70m deal was completed. Having allowed the Dutch star to remain at Ajax until the end of the season, Barcelona are now reportedly plotting another raid of the Dutch club, as per reports from The Daily Mail.

This time, the Catalans are allegedly targeting centre-back, Matthijs de Ligt, who is widely touted to become one of the best defenders over the next few years. Barcelona are believed to view him as the perfect successor to Gerard Pique in the heart of the team's defence.

The report also claims that the only obstacle preventing this deal from taking place is reportedly the player's agent, Mino Raiola, who believes that the 19-year-old should play elsewhere and develop further before joining the likes of Barcelona.