Barcelona are watching Ajax centre-back Matthijs De Ligt.

El Mundo Deportivo says Barça have even been thinking about bringing the operation forward to the winter transfer window.

But to do that, they must first persuade the Dutch club's Director of Sport Marc Overmars.

However, it seems that Overmars, a former Barça player himself, is keen to ensure De Ligt stays where he is, at least for the time being. The Catalans want the 18-year-old as extra cover for the two centre-back positions.

De Ligt is seen as one of the great young prospects of Dutch football.