Arsenal beating Barcelona to sign this 188cm Dutch prodigy could turn out to be a shrewd investment – opinion

Why Arsenal should sign Barcelona target Matthijs de Ligt

According to the Daily Mail, Spanish champions Barcelona are keeping close tabs on Dutch centre-back Matthijs de Ligt. The Catalans have identified the Ajax defender as the top target for next season.

As per the report, the 19-year-old has drawn comparisons with one of the Barcelona’s best defenders, Gerard Pique. De Ligt is also one of the most sought-after young players in European football with talent in abundance.

However, Premier League clubs should take an interest and start scouting the Dutchman. At 19, he is performing at a level which is just remarkable. He can make any defence stronger.

There is one English club which requires a centre-back for its future success under the new manager – Arsenal. The Gunners have made a decent start under the tutelage of Unai Emery but it is pretty clear they still need changes in their squad if they are to really challenge for the title.

Hence, they should target de Ligt and get him before the Spanish giants take control of the deal. Here’s why:

Player Analysis – Matthijs de Ligt

De Ligt is a quality centre-back who possesses a variety of attributes. His stature (188cm) allows him to dominate the centre-forwards in aerial battles. It also makes him a genuine threat from set-pieces. The Dutchman has a great sense of how the game is moving, which enables him to be a step ahead of the attackers.

His reading of the situation is imperious, making him one of the best in making tackles and interceptions. At 19, he is the captain of a club like Ajax, which means he has the propensity to be a leader of a team.

Arsenal have Sokratis, Skhodran Mustafi, Rob Holding and the injured Laurent Koscielny in their ranks. Adding de Ligt to that pack will be immense for the club. The Dutchman will not only grab a starting spot but also improve the whole back-line with his terrific performances and leadership skills, the latter of which the Gunners lack in the defence right now.

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Hence, the 19-year-old must be signed by the north London club sooner than later. They have to act because Barcelona are relentless when it comes to targeting a player and getting the deal done.