FootballTransfers reported that Ajax defender Youri Baas has emerged as a transfer target for FC Barcelona.
Barcelona faces ongoing defensive shortages and has turned its attention to the 23-year-old left-footed defender due to his ball-playing skills and positional awareness, according to VOETBALZONE.
While VOETBALZONE said that Baas is under contract until mid-2028, VoetbalPrimeur added that Ajax intends to protect the player’s market value by demanding a fee equivalent to double his current valuation, reaching an estimated 34 million euros. In the summer, Baas seemed to be on his way to FC Porto for a brief period.
The Spanish club must follow strict financial restrictions, which could complicate a winter move. Twente Insite reported that Barcelona is also tracking 18-year-old FC Twente defender Ruud Nijstad as an alternative, noting that Nijstad carries a lower valuation of 20 million euros and a contract running until mid-2029. Alongside Nijstad and Baas, the club has previously considered players such as Vitor Reis from Manchester City and Arthur Dias from Athletico Paranaense.
Despite the financial hurdles in Catalonia, VoetbalPrimeur said that the player is enthusiastic about the prospect of a move, with Baas telling VOETBALZONE following a Conference League fixture against FC Midtjylland: “I don’t know where the rumor comes from, but it’s nice of course.”
Manager Míchel Sánchez currently has several internal options to cover the left side of central defense should Baas depart. Baas has logged 1,125 minutes across 13 appearances as a center-back this season, alongside outings as a defensive midfielder and left-back. The left-footed player was originally brought over to Ajax in 2018 from the youth academy of Excelsior, and three seasons ago he played on a loan basis at NEC.
Talented youngster Dies Janse has accumulated 514 minutes over 9 appearances, stepping into the left center-back role when Baas has been deployed elsewhere or rested. Meanwhile, veteran Daley Blind has recorded 366 minutes across 8 matches after recovering from a two-month injury layoff.
Beyond the senior squad, 18-year-old defender Marvyn Muzungu provides additional depth from the club’s youth setup. Muzungu has featured heavily for Jong Ajax under coach Carlos García, logging numerous minutes across 13 appearances.
Data from FootballTransfers indicates that Muzungu currently holds a SciSports skill rating of 47.0 with a potential ceiling of 68.5, marking him as a long-term prospect for the Amsterdam side.
Ajax returns to competitive action following the international break.
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