SPORT Confidential: The top transfer target for Barça next summer

It's a simple question of priorities. FC Barcelona have made the decision as to which position they need to strengthen next summer. The sporting department are in agreement too. They are going to try and sign Matthijs De Light.

The Dutch centre back is the chosen one to reinforce the squad next season. After looking at the pros and cons, including the idea of signing his Ajax teammate Frenkie De Jong, the team has come to the conclusion that Barça need a young, right-footed centre back with lots of potential.

At just 19 years of age, De Ligt has the world at his feet. He's a key member for his club as well as Ronald Koeman's Holland side. The young defender fits the profile of defender Barça are looking for to replace Pique in the long term. Pique will be 32 by the start of next season but the idea isn't to force him into early retirement but rather to improve the right hand side of the defence. Right now there's an excessive amount of left-footed central defenders: Vermaelen, Lenglet and Umtiti. The potential arrival of De Ligt would see Vermaelen leave the club.

Bayern-Ajax, an important test

The player himself admires Barça's style of football and knows of their interest. He's willing to make that step up in quality. His teammate, De Jong, has also made hints at the admiration the pair have for Barcelona. The midfielder claimed De Ligt would likely leave for €68m next summer and that's the fee Barça are willing to offer as well. With add-ons it could rise to €80m. When it came to making a decision as to which player should be the priority, Pep Segura and his team pointed out that the team needs another defender more than it does a midfielder. De Jong still remains a target though.

One of the things that Barcelona value the most is De Ligt's performances against the best strikers and attacks in football. Eric Abidal travelled to Munich on the 2nd October to see the player in the Champions League match between Bayern and Ajax. Against one of Europe's strongest attacks and one of its best pure strikers, Robert Lewandowski, De Ligt shone and produced a fantastic performance. Abidal was impressed and the wheels have been put in motion for a move to happen. Ernesto Valverde has given his 'OK' to the transfer and now it's down to the club and his agent, Mino Raiola, to reach an agreement too.

The footballer, who was born in Leiderdorp, has appeared in every match when he's been available for Ajax this season. He only missed three games at the end of September due to injury. In the other 25 fixtures (24 as a starter, 1 as a sub) he's played a total of 2,142 minutes. He's someone who can add something in the present as well as the future. However Barça will need to move fast as Europe's other top sides are also keeping tabs on the young defender.