Liverpool and Manchester United pulled out of the Dutch hostage race

World football

Manchester United and Liverpool have pulled out of the negotiating race to sign Ajax Amsterdam's Dutchman Matthias de Liechte during the summer transfer period.

Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are both vying to sign the youngster from the new season, the English-language newspaper Meerro said.

The 19-year-old is a long-term goal for FC Barcelona and was expected to follow Frinky de Young to Camp Nou.

De Liechte has drawn a lot of attention this season, both with his team Ajax, who led him to re-win the domestic double and the Cup next to the semi-finals of the Champions League, or with the Dutch team.

[t tags] Barcelona