Barcelona closing in on Ajax starlet Frenkie de Jong

Barca will reportedly be meeting the youngster’s representatives for a potential transfer.

FC Barcelona are closing in to sign Ajax’s 21 year-old midfielder Frenkie de Jong. The Dutch star signed for Ajax in 2015 and helped the team reach the final in the Europa League 2016-17 season.

He has played most of his career at Ajax in the Dutch club’s youth team, Jong Ajax. He impressed the club’s faithful as de Jong bagged the Juliper League’s Talent of the Season award.

According to various Spanish outlets, FC Barcelona are in line to sign the youngster from Ajax. According to publications like AS and Mundo Deportivo, the Catalan giants are set to meet the representatives of the midfielder next week in order to discuss a potential transfer for the Dutch star.

The reports claim that the signing fee for Frenkie de Jong would be in the region of 30 to 35 million euros.

AS claims that Barcelona initially wanted to sign the Dutch youngster in 2019, but rising interest from Premier League clubs forced the Catalans to act swiftly on the move.

de Jong has represented the Netherlands youth side at U15, U18, U19 and U21 level. He currently plays for the U21 squad.

The Dutch starlet is a versatile footballer, and has played in the midfield, central defence, and has also efficiently performed as a pivot at his current club.

Also read: Which players should Barcelona sign this summer to strengthen their squad?

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu wants to improve the Barcelona squad for the next season as the club challenges for the Champions League title. Barcelona didn’t make it past the quarter-finals of the premier European competition since the last three seasons.

The reports of Cilessen leaving the club have also gathered pace, and Barcelona have reportedly identified three goalkeepers who could possibly replace the Dutch.