Bayern Strikes
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If Bayern Munich are to raid Ajax, who should they target?

By Benjamin Scott

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - FEBRUARY 4: David Neres of Ajax celebrates 2-1 with Hakim Ziyech of Ajax, Lasse Schone of Ajax, Matthijs de Ligt of Ajax, Donny van de Beek of Ajax during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax v NAC Breda at the Johan Cruijff Arena on February 4, 2018 in Amsterdam Netherlands (Photo by Erwin Spek/Soccrates/Getty Images)
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - FEBRUARY 4: David Neres of Ajax celebrates 2-1 with Hakim Ziyech of Ajax, Lasse Schone of Ajax, Matthijs de Ligt of Ajax, Donny van de Beek of Ajax during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax v NAC Breda at the Johan Cruijff Arena on February 4, 2018 in Amsterdam Netherlands (Photo by Erwin Spek/Soccrates/Getty Images) /
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MUNICH, GERMANY – OCTOBER 2: (L-R) Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munchen, Matthijs de Ligt of Ajax during the UEFA Champions League match between Bayern Munchen v Ajax at the Allianz Arena on October 2, 2018 in Munich Germany (Photo by Erwin Spek/Soccrates/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY – OCTOBER 2: (L-R) Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munchen, Matthijs de Ligt of Ajax during the UEFA Champions League match between Bayern Munchen v Ajax at the Allianz Arena on October 2, 2018 in Munich Germany (Photo by Erwin Spek/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

If Bayern Munich are going to join Europe’s top clubs in raiding Ajax over the summer, who should the Bavarians pursue?

Bayern Munich, like practically all of Europe’s top clubs, have been linked with many of Ajax’s young starlets. The Dutch side have captivated the world with their youthful, energetic style of play as they’ve stormed to the semifinal (and potentially the final) of the Champions League.

Manager Erik ten Hag has to get much of the credit for leading this team of young talents so far into Europe’s top competition. However, there is a handful of individuals who have stood out above the others this campaign.

If the rumors are true, Bayern have had their eyes in Amsterdam for some time now. A few of the Dutch side’s youngster could be well-suited with a move to Munich, but who should the Bavarians make their prime target if they are intent on claiming one of Ajax’s stars for their own?

Matthijs de Ligt

With Frenkie de Jong having already signed for FC Barcelona, Ajax’s 19-year-old captain Matthijs de Ligt is now the player with the most eyes on him. Despite his young age, de Ligt has shown this season that he is already among the best central defenders in Europe.

The Ajax man has long been linked with a move to Bavaria, and the rumors still persist that de Ligt could be persuaded to move to Munich despite many believing he’ll join Frenkie de Jong at Barcelona.

Matthijs de Ligt will be a great addition for whatever team he joins over the summer, and that stands true for Bayern Munich. Ajax’s defensive star would not only add a fantastic center-back option for the next few seasons but for at least another decade.

However, Bayern already have two defensive additions lined up for the summer in Lucas Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard. The duo will cost Die Roten €110 million, and it’s incredibly difficult to imagine Bayern’s board splashing around €70 million more on another central defender when there are so many other areas of the squad that need to be addressed.

If the Bavarians had not already signed both Hernandez and Pavard, an all-out pursuit of de Ligt would be a no-brainer. As it stands, though, they perhaps would be better off spending their funds on weaker areas of the pitch. Still, if they go all-in for Matthijs de Ligt it would be far from a needless purchase.