Barcelona 'Worried' by Arsenal's Rumoured Scouting of Ajax Star Matthijs de Ligt

Arsenal's scouting of Ajax youngster Matthijs de Ligt has reportedly "worried" Barcelona, who are concerned by the Premier League club could move for him in the summer transfer window.

Tashan Deniran-Alleyne of Football.London wrote that Barca see De Ligt as the "perfect long-term replacement" for Gerard Pique, 31, citing a report from Sport Witness that noted their concern in regard to Arsenal.

The Gunners are also searching for a successor of their own as Per Mertesacker prepares to join the club's coaching staff at the end of this season, while Laurent Koscielny, 32, could also need replacing in the near future.

De Ligt, who is contracted at Ajax until the summer of 2021, is only 18 years of age but has already cemented his place as a vital cog for the Dutch powerhouse, per the club's chief executive officer, Edwin van der Sar, via Goal:

Pique is likely to enjoy at least a few more years at the Camp Nou and already has one promising central defensive partner in Samuel Umtiti, 24.

Sky Sports' La Liga expert Guillem Balague recently pointed out it may not be Arsenal's interest in the player that's their greatest issue, however, having yet to be convinced by De Ligt himself:

Alleyne referred to the Mirror and said Arsenal sent scouts to watch De Ligt in action for the Netherlands during a recent friendly against Portugal, where the Dutch were 3-0 victors away from home.

The Ajax centre-back impressed for his side with two assists in the first half, and Football-Oranje.com broke down the numbers of his all-action performance:

Barcelona already recruited one new central defender in January after signing Colombian Yerry Mina from Palmeiras, but De Ligt looks to boast a different kind of potential in the position.

One could argue Arsenal are more in need of a player fitting his description at present. James Gheerbrant of The Times offered their current centre-backs a backhanded compliment after a recent UEFA Europa League win over AC Milan:

It seems unlikely Arsenal, sixth in the Premier League and virtually out of the running to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League, would worry Barca in many transfer wars, given the difference in stature between the two clubs.

However, Arsenal's determination to invest in new players and reduce that gulf in stature may be partly why the Blaugrana should be concerned, and De Ligt's list of admirers looks likely to grow ahead of the summer.