Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt has played down his visit to Barcelona last week.

De Ligt is interesting Barca ahead of the summer market - and he added to the speculation with his visit to the city.

But the Holland international stated: "I was on vacation with friends, I know that people now think that I will go there or something else, but I booked this vacation some time ago.

"They gave me two days off and I used it to recharge the batteries."

De Ligt, 18, has been scouted by Barca chief Robert Fernandez this season.