Everything Barca
Fansided

Should Barcelona go after Matthijs de Ligt having signed Jean-Clair Todibo?

By Chiranjib Ghosh

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - JANUARY 20: Matthijs de Ligt of Ajax during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax v SC Heerenveen at the Johan Cruijff Arena on January 20, 2019 in Amsterdam Netherlands (Photo by Laurens Lindhout/Soccrates/Getty Images)
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - JANUARY 20: Matthijs de Ligt of Ajax during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax v SC Heerenveen at the Johan Cruijff Arena on January 20, 2019 in Amsterdam Netherlands (Photo by Laurens Lindhout/Soccrates/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Barcelona are after De Ligt despite having earlier signed Jean-Clair Todibo

After drawn-out talks with a dramatic conclusion, Barcelona have reached an agreement with Ajax over Frenkie de Jong’s move to the Catalan capital in the summer transfer window. But now, the club is looking to unite De Jong with his Ajax teammate, Matthijs de Ligt.

De Ligt is among the most in-demand young prospects in Europe, having earned the captaincy of Ajax at the tender age of 19 with his consistent performances at club and international level. He has the potential to become of the best defenders in the world, without a doubt.

Just like De Jong, Ajax have placed a very high price tag of €60 million on De Ligt. The Dutch giants value their youngsters highly, and Europe’s elite are compliant with their immense financial resources. But should Barcelona make such an investment at this point?

Currently, the club has two of the best centre-backs in the world in Gerard Piqué and Samuel Umtiti. Clément Lenglet is the breakout star of this season after joining from Sevilla, and has shown great potential. But due to Piqué’s age, the club is searching for a successor.

More from Everything Barca

At the beginning of the season, La Masia graduate Chumi was touted as the natural successor to the former Manchester United player. But the youngster’s performances have been largely disappointing, showing that he still does not possess the maturity to make the step up.

Jeison Murillo is not good enough, even though he might have a few decent games in the future. For that reason, Barça struck a pre-contract agreement with Toulouse starlet Jean-Clair Todibo. A raw talent, the 19-year old French centre-back has immense potential for growth.

He has shown as much in his 10 appearances for the Toulouse first-team, and at various youth levels for club and country. While he lacks experience in European competitions, Ligue 1 should prepare him for a backup role at Barça while he gains experience in the Copa del Rey.

But despite having brought Todibo on board, the club are relentless in their pursuit of Matthijs de Ligt. Not only would the Dutchman effectively make Todibo a mere business transaction, he would seriously hinder the development of a player with great potential.

Moreover, De Ligt is going to cost a lot of money. If the club really has the long-term sporting project in mind, Todibo and De Ligt are one and the same. There is no point in bringing in both of these players, and spending a huge amount of money in doing so.

Next. Girona vs Barça: Expected Starting XI. dark

If Barcelona want Jean-Clair Todibo to be something more than a buy-and-sell like Marlon, Matthijs de Ligt should be immediately ruled out as a summer signing.