Liverpool have no interest in Matthijs de Ligt transfer

De Ligt is expected to leave Ajax in the coming months having earned admirers across Europe off the back of his impressive performances for his hometown club this term.

The Dutchman was a key member of a team that claimed a league and cup double in the Netherlands and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.

That has led to links with the likes of Barcelona and Manchester City emerging, while Anfield has also been touted as a potential destination for the teenager.

However, Standard Sport understands that, while Liverpool had previously held a long-standing interest in the 19-year-old, that has cooled significantly since last summer.

Joe Gomez’s form at centre-half prior to suffering a leg break in December is one contributing factor.

And suggestions that De Ligt would command a fee of around £61m have also discouraged the Reds from entering the race for his signature.

The club are keen to part with such sums only when they know they are bringing in a guaranteed starter, as was the case with Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker.

It is those principles that saw Liverpool pull out of a potential deal to bring in Lloyd Kelly from Bristol City.

The 20-year-old was viewed as capable of providing the flexible defensive cover Klopp is keen to add to his squad this summer.

However, once it became clear that Bournemouth were willing to pay £13m in order to get the deal done, Liverpool shelved their interest.

As such, the Reds remain on the lookout for a player of a similar profile.

Source: Evening Standard

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