Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Matthijs de Ligt from Ajax however they will only move if they sell Mesut Ozil and qualify for the Champions League in a story that has more holes than the Arsenal defence.

This version of this rumour appeared in the S*n who have joined some dots to allow them to fill in the story. They also claim he is a ‘huge admirer’ of Arsenal having worked with Dennis Bergkamp and Marc Overmars and while this could be true, it certainly smells a bit fishy.

De Ligt is 19 and coveted by most of the top sides across Europe. Manchester City want him to replace Vincent Kompany, while Barcelona, Juventus and Liverpool are also mentioned in this one article alone.

Reports in Italy recently suggested Arsenal had sent representatives to watch de Ligt and his teammates in action in the Champions League, during Ajax’s clash with Real Madrid. Kike Marin also claimed that The Gunners were looking at the centre-back to strengthen their defence in the January window, but admitted a deal looked ‘very difficult’.

Ajax want £70m for him.

Arsenal don’t have £70m to spend on one player.

End of story.