De Ligt did not travel with squad for pre-season camp in Austria because he is "awaiting a possible transfer" - Ajax statement
Monday 15 July 2019 21:57, UK
Juventus are close to finalising a deal to sign Matthijs de Ligt from Ajax, according to Sky in Italy.
The Italian champions made an improved offer to Ajax for the 19-year-old Netherlands international centre-back on Friday, and it is understood the two clubs now only need to agree the finer details of the transfer.
De Ligt did not travel with the rest of the Ajax squad to Austria on Saturday for their pre-season camp because he is "awaiting a possible transfer", a club statement said.
Juve have already agreed personal terms with De Ligt's agent, Mino Raiola, with the teenage defender set to receive £10.7m-a-year, plus bonuses, in Turin.
The Serie A club initially offered Ajax £58.3m for De Ligt - £49.3m upfront, with £9m in add-ons. The Eredivisie champions were, at that stage, said to be looking for closer to £67.3m.
Last season, De Ligt - Ajax's youngest-ever captain - led the team to a domestic league and cup double, as well as taking them to the Champions League semi-finals in which they lost to Tottenham in the final seconds in Amsterdam.
Juve have already signed another young centre-back this summer in 21-year-old Turkey international Merih Demiral, brought in from Sassuolo, as they begin to plan ahead for life after Giorgio Chiellini, 34, and Leonardo Bonucci, 32.
