Van Dijk happy to recommend De Ligt if Liverpool asks

Matthijs de Ligt is one of the most sought-after defenders in Europe but Liverpool has not asked Virgil van Dijk about his Dutch team-mate.

Published : Nov 15, 2018 00:17 IST

Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman expects Matthijs de Ligt to leave the Eredivisie in the near future.
Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman expects Matthijs de Ligt to leave the Eredivisie in the near future.
lightbox-info

Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman expects Matthijs de Ligt to leave the Eredivisie in the near future.

Virgil van Dijk would give his Netherlands defensive partner Matthijs de Ligt a glowing reference should Liverpool wants to add him to Jurgen Klopp's squad.

De Ligt's reputation has gone from strength to strength since making his Ajax debut in 2016 and establishing himself at the heart of the club's defence.

A first international call-up followed last year and this season De Ligt has been linked with a string of Europe's top clubs – with Barcelona said to be at the front of the queue.

Paris-Saint Germain, Inter Milan and Liverpool have also been named as potential destinations for the 19-year-old, who is contracted with Ajax until 2021.

Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman expects the teenager to leave the Eredivisie in the near future but Van Dijk has yet to be asked about his international team-mate by Liverpool's hierarchy.

READ | Suso 'proud' of Real Madrid speculation but happy at AC Milan

"He will be on the [Liverpool] lists because they have enough scouts at the club," he told De Telegraaf.

"No [they haven't mentioned De Ligt], but if they need my opinion, I'll give it. He is already very far, especially for his age. [He is] a good defender, good boy, calm, knows what he wants and hopefully he makes the right choice."

But Van Dijk does not expect De Ligt to take his record as the world's most-expensive defender, Liverpool having paid £75million for the 27-year-old in January.

"They will pay less for Matthijs," he added. "The amount for me was very high. It's just like that and if he ever becomes the most expensive defender, I'll be the first to congratulate him."

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment