Manchester City beat Barcelona and Manchester United to top target, Chelsea prepare stunning £200 million January transfer spree, and more transfer news - 18th November 2018

Barcelona to beat Manchester United and Liverpool for Matthijs de Ligt

Barcelona have reportedly identified 19-year-old Matthijs de

Ligt

as Gerard Pique's successor

Ajax's 19-year-old centre-back, Matthijs de Ligt, has rapidly risen to prominence as a result of some exemplary performances for the Eredivisie side.

Touted to become one of the best defenders in the world, the Dutch star effectively silenced Kylian Mbappe to help Netherlands beat France 2-0 in the UEFA Nations League, as scouts from several top clubs watched on.

Understandably, the youngster has been linked with moves to Manchester United and Liverpool, with Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk publicly claiming that de Ligt was on the club's radar.

However, Barcelona have now emerged as favourites to sign the defender, according to reports from The Daily Mirror. The report claims that the La Liga champions view him as the perfect successor to Gerard Pique, who will turn 32 in the near future.

As a result, Barcelona are reportedly willing to spend £60 million for the Dutchman - a world-record fee for a teenage defender, thereby dashing the hopes of Liverpool and Manchester United.