Mino Raiola branded claims he arrived in France to seal a deal for Matthijs de Ligt to join Paris Saint-Germain as “fake news”.
19-year-old De Ligt’s future remains doubtful despite the options he has on the table for next season.
PSG, Barcelona, Juventus, Manchester United and Liverpool have all reportedly expressed an interest in signing the Ajax centre-back.
But Gianluca Di Marzio claimed on Wednesday that De Ligt’s agent, Raiola, was in Paris. The Italian journalist stated that the Dutchman met PSG sporting director Antero Henrique over a potential move.
A picture of Raiola in Paris with French journalist Lassana Camara also cropped up on social media on the same day.
The report added that Ajax and PSG had agreed on a €75m transfer fee. While the French champions apparently offered De Ligt a five-year deal, with a lucrative annual salary of €12m.
Although the teenager would still have some way short of matching Neymar’s wages as the Brazilian made €66m last season alone.
When asked about this report, however, Raiola told ANSA: “This is a classic example of fake news.
“The photograph of me and the French journalist in Paris? He asked me to take a picture together, but I did not know who this gentleman was.
“I have never spoken with him.”
So, the De Ligt transfer saga remains in full swing after all with no decision evidently having been made.
Meanwhile, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) suspended Raiola’s worldwide transfer ban after he successfully lodged an appeal.
FIFA had handed Raiola a three-month suspension from all football activity for yet unknown reasons. However, the 51-year-old can now resume his work and will likely play a central figure in determining De Ligt’s destination.
Although the Italian Football Federation (FIGC)’s three-month ban on Raiola remains active. This might hinder his chances of arranging a possible summer move to Juventus for De Ligt.