Ajax Captain Matthijs De Ligt Has Agreed Terms With Juventus

Matthijs de Ligt has moved a step closer to completing a sensational move to Juventus after agreeing terms with the club.

According to Sky Sport Italia (via Sky Sports), the Ajax captain has accepted a five-year deal that would see him pocket €12m (£10.75m) a season in Turin.

And it is also reported that Juventus have set the release clause for the Dutch starlet, 19, at around €150m (£135m).

The Serie A champions will now begin talks with the Dutch champions in an attempt to finalise the deal.

But Ajax will play hardball in the negotiations as they look for a fee in the region of £75m for De Ligt.

Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United were all linked with the highly sought-after Dutch centre-back in recent months.

De Ligt would be the first summer signing for new Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri, who succeeded Massimiliano Allegri at the club.

Ex-Juventus and England boss Fabio Capello called De Ligt one of the best defenders in the world.

And he also claimed that his arrival at the club would end any other Italian side's hopes of challenging for the Scudetto.

"If Juve sign De Ligt, then it's over. Again. And we go directly to the season after," the 73-year-old Italian said.

"De Ligt is the best defender out there. He allows you to defend with two, freeing up the full-backs, like he has at Ajax.

"With him, Juve will have hit the jackpot. Without him, well, it could help the others get closer.

"Let me be clear. When I talk about others, I'm referring exclusively to Napoli and Inter [Milan].

"[AC] Milan, Roma and Lazio won't participate in the title race for obvious technical delays and financial problems."

De Ligt also hinted that one of his reasons for moving to Juventus would be to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.

"However, sometimes I realise it, as recently when I had dinner with my childhood friends who I used to play with. We came to the conclusion that I always wanted to be Cristiano Ronaldo when we played soccer in the garden," he told Dutch outlet Voetbal International.

"Especially during the period when he played at Manchester United. Even my first football shirt was his.

"That dinner took place immediately after the two challenges against Juventus, in which I had to face Ronaldo."

Will De Ligt be a hit at Juventus?

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