Ajax eyes Barça left‑back as La Liga rivals also bid for talent

In the Ajax training complex, officials gathered around a glowing screen displaying a live feed from Barcelona as the clock struck 13:31 (Vandaag). The Dutch champions announced their intention to take 19‑year‑old left‑back Jofre Torrents on loan from FC Barcelona, while Racing Santander of La Liga also entered the race, Spanish (Spaanse) daily AS reported on Thursday.

Technical director Jordi Cruijff, still reshaping the back line after the exits of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu, has already secured Caio Henrique and now sees Torrents as a suitable addition to the defensive options.

Torrents, a product of Barça’s academy, has featured three times in La Liga and regularly trains with the first‑team squad. The Catalans (Catalanen) remain open to a temporary departure this summer, making the loan move feasible.

Racing Santander, another La Liga side, is actively searching for a replacement for the departed Mario García. The club has identified the same 19‑year‑old talent as a potential successor, meaning Ajax will face direct competition for his signature.

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The rivalry underscores the demand for young defensive talent in Spain’s top flight. Both clubs, operating in La Liga, are keen to secure a player who can develop under senior coaching while providing immediate depth.

Earlier in June, Mundo Deportivo (Mundo Deportivo) reported that the Amsterdammers (Amsterdammers) were interested in bringing Torrents to the Netherlands on a loan basis. The report highlighted his limited La Liga exposure but praised his training involvement with Barcelona’s senior group.

Despite the interest, Ajax appears not yet fully committed, still evaluating the loan option while acknowledging Torrents as a viable solution to their defensive needs.

If the loan materialises, the 19‑year‑old will move from the reigning Spanish champions to the Dutch capital, joining a squad that has already bolstered its back line this summer.