Matthijs de Ligt is currently the most sought-after young central defender on the planet following his eye-catching performances for Ajax this season.Whenever you watch him play - or speak for that matter - it’s hard to believe that he’s just 19 years old.He became the youngest ever captain of a professional team in the history of Dutch football back in January 2017 - when he was just 17 - and was appointed the team’s permanent skipper a year later.It appeared that Barcelona had won the race for De Ligt’s signature earlier this week.Sky Sports broke the news that the Dutchman would reject interest from various English clubs - including Manchester United and Manchester City - in order to join his international colleague Frenkie de Jong at the Camp Nou.

However, fast-forward several days and De Ligt’s future is, once again, very much up in the air.

The teenager’s notorious agent, Mino Raiola, reportedly believes that an offer submitted by Barça back in April should be increased after Ajax’s incredible season both domestically and in the Champions League.

The Catalan giants, however, are not willing to budge - per Sport - and this has put United back into the picture.

The Red Devils, who will compete in the Europa League next season, are reportedly offering De Ligt €14 million a year to join them - around £236,000 a week.

And all the time his future remains uncertain, fans will be looking towards his social media activity for the smallest of hints that might suggest he fancies a move to Manchester.

Over the past couple of days, De Ligt’s actions on Instagram have got some (overly optimistic) fans excited.

He liked Rio Ferdinand’s post of Manchester United winning the 2008 Champions League final.

He also liked this photo of United striker Romelu Lukaku.

Oh, and he also followed Paul Pogba.

As you can see, silly season is well and truly in full swing now.

But what are the odds saying?

Well, Barcelona are still the bookmakers’ favourites to sign the centre-back, followed by United, whose odds have shortened today (make of that what you will).

If United do somehow secure De Ligt’s services, it would rank as arguably the biggest transfer coup of the summer.