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Man Utd news: De Ligt backed to snub Old Trafford for Man City - ‘I’d like to see it’
MANCHESTER UNITED target Matthijs de Ligt should snub Old Trafford and head to Manchester City, as he would be the perfect transfer to replace the outgoing Vincent Kompany, according to Citizens legend Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Man City have a 'strong interest' in De Ligt says expert
City should do everything they can to buy De Ligt, because he has a lot of potential, said Wright-Phillips.
He’d very much like to see the Dutch starlet playing at the Etihad Stadium next season as he’s a quality player.
The Ajax sensation has been linked with City's rivals Manchester United and Barcelona after impressing at Ajax.
With club captain Kompany moving to become a player-manager at Anderlecht next season, City need to bring in some big characters, he said.
De Ligt would be an ideal replacement for the outgoing Kompany, but the club shouldn’t be taken advantage of.
He is going to be almost impossible to replace
“I wouldn’t say there are big names coming in, but the club definitely needs some big characters because Vinny Kompany is a big character both on and off the pitch,” Wright-Phillips told 888sport.
“He is going to be almost impossible to replace.
“But if you can start off by replacing him on the field, then I’d love to see De Ligt at Manchester City.
“After watching him play this year and especially being so young I think him and Laporte would be a great team.
“People will try and take advantage because it’s Manchester City, but considering what he’s worth and capable of, City should keep going for him.
“I’m not saying £180m or something stupid like that, but I’d like to see him there because he’s such a good player.”
De Ligt has been linked with moves to Barcelona and United since the end of the season.
But, the Ajax defender has now turned down a move to Old Trafford as he wants to play Champions League football, according to reports.
Barcelona are the favourites to sign De Ligt this summer, because the chance of playing alongside Lionel Messi is difficult to turn down, said ESPN’s Mark Ogden.
“I don’t think [there is any chance of De Ligt joining United],” he said.
“The word from inside United is that yes he is a player they’d really like but they feel that Barcelona had the deal done two months ago and all this noise around him right now is basically agents trying to get more money in terms of salary, more commission.
“Barca have got the deal done. He will go to Barcelona.”