MANCHESTER UNITED have been dealt a blow with Matthijs de Ligt reportedly close to signing a new contract with Juventus.
The centre-back, 22, has a deal until 2024 with the Turin club.
United are believed to be keen on signing the defender with incoming boss Erik ten Hag a big fan of the Dutchman.
The pair worked with each other at Ajax and United hoped the appeal of Ten Hag could lure De Ligt to Old Trafford.
But his agent Rafaela Pimento, who has reportedly been in talks with Juventus over Paul Pogba's transfer, has also looked to strike a deal for De Ligt's contract renewal, according to Sky Italy.
The defender is reportedly set to sign on for a further two years – ruling out a summer switch to United.
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That means the Red Devils will have to turn their attention to other targets if Ten Hag is to oversee a summer rebuild.
De Ligt could have partnered Raphael Varane in defence and his signing could have encouraged ex-team-mate Frenkie de Jong to make the switch from Barcelona.
There has been considerable speculation about the midfielder's future with reports suggesting he is happy at the Nou Camp amid talk of a £70m move to United.
Barca could be forced to sell the former Ajax man this summer to meet the conditions laid out by financial fair play rules.
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Speaking to Movistar about De Jong, Barca chief Mateu Alemany said: "We have not made any decision regarding the squad.
"Frenkie is a quality player, he’s very important and we will go from situation to situation.
"We are conditioned by financial fair play, conditioned by the situation inherited by the club. We must be patient.
"We are clear that we are going to strengthen the team. It is necessary and we want to opt for the titles next year."
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