Juventus are set to sign "a phenomenon" if they complete a deal to bring Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt to Turin, according to former Bianconeri boss Marcello Lippi.
The Netherlands international has been strongly linked with Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain but sources close to talks suggest the Italian champions are close to finalising a deal that will earn the 19-year-old €12 million per year for the next five years.
Lippi, who guided Juventus to five Scudetti and the Champions League during two trophy-laden spells as head coach, said De Ligt's performances for Ajax over the last three years have put him on course to emulate legendary Italian defenders like Alessandro Nesta, Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini if he opts to play in Serie A.