Latest Liverpool transfer news: Former Dutch international wants Matthijs De Ligt to play alongside Virgil van Dijk

Former Netherlands international Rene van der Gijp wants Ajax star and captain Matthijs de Ligt to play alongside Virgil van Dijk.

The 19-year-old defender is one of the hottest properties in world football and seems set to leave the Dutch giants for Barcelona, according to the Daily Star

Frenkie de Jong has agreed on a deal to move to the Catalans from Ajax in the summer, and there has been interest from several clubs for De Ligt.

However, Van der Gijp wants the youngster to join Dutch teammates Van Dijk and Georginio Wijnaldum at Liverpool.

Speaking to Voetbal Primeur, Van der Gijp believed the defenders would become the best pair in Europe (h/t Daily Star

“It would be great for Dutch football if those two defenders can play alongside each other for five to six years.

“Then you are getting the best centre-back pairing in Europe.”

Liverpool in the market for defenders

The Daily Star adds that Liverpool are in the need for defensive options given that Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip are not seen as long-term partners for Van Dijk.

Joe Gomez did a great job alongside the Dutch defender but his season has been curtailed by a lower leg fracture he picked up in December.

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The report adds that De Ligt would also cost in the region of £75m to get him from Ajax. Liverpool paid the fee to sign Van Dijk from Southampton (h/t Daily Star), and the defender has been one of the best signings we have made in the Premier League era.