Barcelona are facing stiff competition from Manchester City in the race to sign highly-coveted Ajax youngsters Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt.
Both central midfielder De Jong and centre-back De Ligt have been long-term targets for Barca, who see the duo, both Netherlands internationals, as players who could fulfill their respective roles at the Nou Camp far into the future.
Ajax sporting director Marc Overmars had issued a hands-off warning for all of the club’s young stars this summer, when Barca were enquiring about De Jong, who has spoken of his desire to play with Lionel Messi.
Now, according to Goal, both Barca and City believe that the other has the upper hand in their bids to land the 21-year-old midfielder, with the La Liga champions resigned to the fact that they cannot compete with City’s financial muscle.
There is even a feeling that City could persuade Ajax to sell De Jong in the January window, then loan him back to the Dutch club.
Barca have reportedly thus decided to prioritise signing 19-year-old De Ligt, though that could be complicated by City’s interest in the player.
The reigning Premier League champions were linked with the defender in the summer, though it seems that was simply City registering their interest ahead of a future move.
As with De Jong, Barca would be priced out of a transfer for De Ligt if City were to engage Ajax seriously.
