Marcello Lippi says he has “never seen anyone like Matthijs de Ligt at his age” as Juventus close in on the Dutch sensation.

The Bianconeri are reportedly on the verge of sealing a €67m plus €13m in bonuses deal for the Ajax starlet, however Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United also remain interested in the 19-year-old.

“I believe that the player who would be the best signing for Juve would be De Ligt,” Lippi told Tuttosport as cited by Football Italia.

“I think he is really strong. He’s physically imposing and has great football intelligence, he gives you a good balance, is technically strong and also scores a lot of goals.”

The World Cup winning Coach was asked whom the youngster reminds him of most, as he worked with some of the best defenders in the game.

“There is no need for comparisons, but I’ve seen plenty of greats, like Alessandro Nesta, Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini, Ciro Ferrara, Fabio Cannavaro, and Marco Materazzi. I’ve never seen anyone like that at his age.

“Juve with De Ligt would make a further leap in quality, putting him beside Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci would be the key to making a strong Juventus even stronger.

“They would be capable of achieving any target, even the Champions League.”

Photo Credit: Daily Express

There are reports Manchester United have made fresh contact with Barcelona for the transfer of midfielder Ivan Rakitic.

United are reportedly searching for midfield reinforcements with the anticipated departure of Paul Pogba, and the Croatian, according to Diario Sport, could be sold by the Blaugrana for €50m after knocking back an earlier €35m approach from United.

Football Espana report that the Croatian international’s current deal at the Camp Nou runs through until the summer of 2021 although Barca signed midfielders Arturo Vidal and Arthur Melo last summer and have a deal to sign Frenkie De Jong from Ajax this summer.

Reports say the club had agreed a €90m sale to Paris Saint-Germain last summer but this was rejected by the player himself.

His agent Arturo Canales is reported to have said that the midfielder would not be leaving the club this summer although the Spanish media have cast doubt upon such claims.

Reports in England state that Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha has told his Selhurst Park club about his intention to join Arsenal this summer.

Zaha is currently in his second spell at Palace. He inspired them into the Premier League in his first and has helped them consolidate in the top-flight during his second, a five-year stay following an ill-fated spell at Manchester United.

According to Sportsmail, the Ivorien has informed his club of his desire and urged them to reach an agreement with the club he supported as a boy.

Palace have lost Aaron Wan-Bissaka to Manchester United in a deal worth over £50m and their position was that only one of their academy products would be allowed to leave.

But winger Zaha, 26, is refusing to accept his chances of a move are over and remains determined to secure his own big-money switch from Selhurst Park.

Palace have put a huge £80m price tag on talisman Zaha, a figure which would put him out of Arsenal’s price range.

The Gunners have a starting budget of around £45m following their failure to qualify for the Champions League.

That has left Zaha hoping that Palace chairman Steve Parish will lower the club’s demands to help make his dream switch a reality.

Zaha’s stance will be a boost to Arsenal boss Unai Emery who wants Emirates chiefs to fund a move for Zaha, who is currently on international duty with the Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Reports in England claim Chelsea have warned Atletico Madrid they are ready to cancel Alvaro Morata’s loan and call him back if the Spaniards do not make the move permanent this summer.

Morata joined Atletico on an 18-month loan in January, but Chelsea have the option to recall the striker early in this transfer window if Atletico do not buy him.

This reported threat comes despite the Spanish striker not having the most successful period for The Blues and having made it clear that his preference is to stay with Diego Simeone’s side as they look to improve on a second place finish in LaLiga next season.

With a transfer ban in place for the London outfit, restricting them adding to their squad for the next two transfer windows, players out on loan have the potential of being recalled earlier than planned.

And, according to the Telegraph, Chelsea are, therefore, prepared to exercise their right unless Atletico pay £50 million to keep Morata.

That leaves Atletico needing to raise cash if, as expected, they complete the signing of Portuguese teenager Joao Felix for a reported fee of £112.9 million.

One of the biggest problems facing incoming head coach Frank Lampard will be how to replace the goals scored by Eden Hazard, who joined Real Madrid.

Photo Credit: Twitter/en.atleticodemadrid.com