Ronaldo courts Netherlands defender De Ligt for Juventus

(AP):

Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt says Cristiano Ronaldo wants him to become his new teammate at Italian club Juventus.

Dutch media are reporting that De Ligt said Ronaldo asked him if he was "coming to Turin" after they faced off in the UEFA Nations League final on Sunday. Portugal beat the Netherlands 1-0.

De Ligt says he laughed off the comment, adding that so shortly after losing the final "you are disappointed that you have lost and that is the only thing you are thinking about."

The 19-year-old De Ligt is one of football's top prospects for the transfer window after helping Ajax reach the Champions League semi-finals. He also scored in the Netherlands 3-2 win over England in the semi-finals of the Nations League.

Barcelona are reportedly also interested in De Ligt. The Spanish club has already signed midfielder Frenkie de Jong, De Ligt's teammate with both Ajax and the Netherlands.

De Ligt, who is under contract with Ajax until the end of the 2020-21 season, has not said what his plans are.