Catalonia's second attempt! Barcelona returns for Dutch wonderkid
Spanish giants Barcelona have renewed their strong interest in 18-year-old Twente centre-back Ruud Nijstad, whom the Catalan club failed to sign last summer.
Details: According to Spanish publication SPORT, the Blaugrana's scouting department still sees the young centre-back as a strategic addition to their defensive line. However, the Catalans will face stiff competition: Erik ten Hag has confirmed that several European heavyweights have already made concrete enquiries about the player, including Bayern Munich and Manchester United.
The promising defender's current contract with Twente runs until 2029, giving the Dutch side a strong negotiating position. The Tukkers intend to demand a fee close to €40 million for their academy graduate, especially if Premier League clubs decide to step up the battle for his signature.
It is worth noting that Ruud Nijstad is regarded as one of the biggest revelations in Dutch football in recent years, having consistently featured for the Netherlands' youth teams thanks to his composure under pressure and quality distribution from the back.
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Kenley Ward
Dailysports's expert