Barça offers €34 million via Cruijff for Ajax player Baas

FC Barcelona is active in the Netherlands and has technical director Deco in talks with Erik ten Hag and Jordi Cruijff to sign the 23‑year‑old Youri Baas of Ajax' for €34 million. The Spanish club wants to complete the transfer via the Portuguese‑Dutch connection, while the Ajax player is seen by SPORT as a leader in multiple positions.

According to a Spanish newspaper, Barcelona wants to shop in the Eredivisie because the club claims it already has enough options in midfield and attack. In Amsterdam the Portuguese seems to have more success, while talks with the Tukkers are not going well. The current centre‑backs Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Eric García and Andreas Christensen are often injured, which has seen Frenkie de Jong recently being deployed even as a centre‑back or right‑back.

Interest in Twente talent Ruud Nijstad

Sport reports that the 18‑year‑old talent Ruud Nijstad of FC Twente is highly regarded in Catalonia. Last weekend against Ajax he showed that he can compete at the highest level. Nijstad recently extended his contract in the Grolsch Veste until mid‑2029.

Barcelona puts Nijstad on the front page, but Twente asks for €20 m

Transfermarkt estimates his value at €18 million, while Spanish media indicate that technical director Erik ten Hag wants at least €20 million, which would be a record deal for the Tukkers. In the summer transfer window Deco previously offered €8 million for Nijstad, but that did not satisfy Twente.

Barça's sporting director sees Youri Baas as another option, a true leader at Ajax who can play both centrally on the left, as left‑back and recently as defensive midfielder. SPORT reports that Baas carries a price tag of €34 million.

To finalize the deal with Ajax, Deco must speak with his former colleague at Barcelona, Jordi Cruijff. Since the technical director of the Amsterdam side is always high up in the hierarchy, Baas does not appear likely to leave for less than €34 million.