Liverpool £55m transfer goes from rumor to reality after player remarks

Liverpool are now considered serious contenders for the transfer of Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt as the player opened the possibility with his comments.

The Liverpool transfer rumor mill is winding up again as we head into the final stretch of the Premier League season. The biggest news this week is that highly desired Ajax center back Matthijs de Ligt is speaking about a move to Anfield.

Talking to the Dutch press in the wake of his impressive Champions League performance against Real Madrid, the possibility was raised of de Ligt renewing his international partnership with Virgil van Dijk at Anfield next season:

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“It could happen. They are a great side, and Van Dijk is there, and I learn a lot from playing with him for the national team.”

While that is not a declaration of certain intent to join Liverpool, it is also a far cry from the usual professional footballer vague dismissal of transfer rumors.

By his own words it could happen. The expectation is that he will leave Ajax this summer with Barcelona leading the charge. The Catalonians have already snagged his team-mate Frenkie de Jong who will join in the summer.

But these latest comments place Liverpool as the most likely destination. Obviously it is not only Barca and the Reds in contention. Man City are linked to any £50 million+ player who can breathe. Also Bayern Munich are wanting to upgrade the position but the transfer fee is likely to move out of their range.

There are questions as to which positions will be a priority for Liverpool in the transfer market. They are expected to add a fourth world-class forward to the mix with either Timo Werner or Maxi Gomez as the chief candidates.

Liverpool will certainly want to add another defender after the injury troubles of Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez have left the Reds short of cover in central defense. Matthijs de Ligt would certainly be a statement of the club’s continued intent to challenge for the top honors.