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Matthijs de Ligt will NOT join Liverpool because of one player - Steve Nicol
LIVERPOOL will NOT try to sign Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt because they already have a top young defender in Joe Gomez, claims Reds legend Steve Nicol.
Matthijs de Ligt will NOT transfer to Liverpool says Nicol
De Ligt is attracting interest from a host of clubs after an impressive season.
Barcelona are said to be keen on the 19-year-old Dutch international after already agreeing to sign his Ajax team-mate Frenkie de Jong.
Rumours have surfaced that Liverpool are also in the market for De Ligt, who plays alongside Reds centre-back Virgil van Dijk for the Netherlands.
But Nicol doubts his former side will spend what is required on De Ligt having already got Gomez.
The fact that they have Gomez, they’re probably looking at him as the future
Gomez, 21, had a fine first half of this season before suffering a broken leg in the win at Burnley in December.
“If Liverpool’s got a wish list, then this guy would be on it,” Nicol said of De Ligt.
“No question he is the up and coming young centre-back in world football.
“He’s only 19 years old but already he has a maturity and a class about him that belies being 19.
“So for Liverpool, would this guy fit?
“Can you imagine him sat beside Van Dijk? I certainly can envision it.
“However, I’m not quite so sure that Liverpool would turn round and spent the type of money that it would cost for this guy.
“The fact that they have Gomez, they’re probably looking at him as the future.
“So unfortunately I don’t think he’s going to go to Liverpool.
“But my goodness I would love to have him there.”