De Ligt could leave Juventus next summer, admits agent
Martin Macdonald
- 18 Sep 2021 04:40 CDT
- 5 min read
Matthijs de Ligt could leave Juventus next summer, according to his agent Mino Raiola.
After starring for Ajax as a youngster and then helping them to the Eredivisie title in 2019 and the semi-final of the Champions League, De Ligt become one of the hottest properties in European football.
The likes of Barcelona, Manchester United and Real Madrid were all reportedly interested in signing him, but it would be Juventus who would win the race in the summer of 2019 after paying Ajax €75 million for his services.
De Ligt would win Serie A in his first season with Juve, but things turned sour for the Bianconeri in 2020/21 as they surrendered the Scudetto for the first time in a decade and only managed to qualify for the Champions League on the final day.
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During his time at the club he has had to fight for minutes against legendary defenders Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, but has now established himself as first choice.
He might not be there beyond 2022, though, according to Raiola, who has tipped both De Ligt and another of his clients, Alessio Romagnoli, for transfers.
“I think he and De Ligt are among the best defenders in Europe. De Ligt has a contract, while Romagnoli’s deal expires next year,” the agent told Rai Sport.
“I think they could play together at Juventus next season, but pay attention because De Ligt could leave Juve at the end of the season.
"That’s how the market works, there are many clubs interested in signing him.”
Ibrahimovic's future
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will turn 40 next month yet is somehow still plying his trade at the top level in Serie A with Milan.
Upon returning to the Rossoneri after a spell in the United States, he again became the main man at San Siro and was a key player in the club returning to the Champions League after their efforts last season.
Even at his advanced years there hasn't been too much talk of retirement just yet, but Raiola thinks that when Ibrahimovic does hang up his boots, he'll become a club director as opposed a coach.
“We talk [about his future] every year," Raiola revealed.
"He is like a promissory note that expires every 12 months. I’m sure the day he doesn’t feel like the orchestra’s first violin, he will say ‘I’m done’ and will become a director.”
