Frenkie de Jong wants Matthijs de Ligt to join him at Barcelona – but wishes he'd take life easy
Incoming Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong believes Ajax team-mate Matthijs de Ligt would also make a fine signing at the Camp Nou this summer, but says he has no idea where his friend will decide to go.
Barça agreed a €75m deal for De Jong in January and are hoping to do the same for De Ligt, according to widespread reports in Spain.
Together, the young Dutch duo helped Ajax reach the Champions League semi-finals and will lift the Eredivisie trophy this weekend barring a freak turn of events on the final day.
De Jong says he does not know what his 19-year-old colleague will choose to do this summer – but did admit that the youngster may be old before his time.
"Matthijs is 19, but when you sometimes hear him talking, you think he is already at early retirement,” the 22-year-old joked of his friend in a joint interview with Dutch outlet voetbalzone.
“I sometimes think: ‘Take it easy; don't act like you have all the wisdom under your belt already!’
“I honestly don't know what Matthijs is going to do [this summer],” De Jong added. “He has to know for himself, but I would certainly go to Barcelona.
“It would be great for me, and for Barça it would be great to get such a good player who you can continue with for a long time.”
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
NOW READ…
FEATURE When Johann Cruyff reinvented football at Barça
TRANSFERS Three transfer priorities for EVERY Premier League club this summer
Joe was the Deputy Editor at FourFourTwo until 2022, having risen through the FFT academy and been on the brand since 2013 in various capacities.
By weekend and frustrating midweek night he is a Leicester City fan, and in 2020 co-wrote the autobiography of former Foxes winger Matt Piper – subsequently listed for both the Telegraph and William Hill Sports Book of the Year awards.