Barcelona have now emerged as new favourites, over Everton, in the race to sign young Ajax superstar Davinson Sanchez.
The Sun are claiming that Barcelona have reignited their interest in Ajax defender Davinson Sanchez. The Colombian, who has been reported to be courted heavily by Everton and Ronald Koeman, has now initiated talks with Barcelona over a possible move.
Davinson Sanchez was on the verge of joining Barcelona earlier in the summer of 2016 but ultimately ended up rejecting the move upon hearing Luis Enrique’s plan to play him in Barcelona’s B side, which is in the Spanish third division. The Colombian ended up joining Ajax from Atletico Nacional and has been impressive for the Dutch giants.
The 20-year-old has appeared in all but 1 of Ajax’s Eredivisie matches in the current campaign, starting all of them and has an exceptional average rating of 7.45 with a return of 2 goals and 1 assist. Everton and Ronald Koeman are interested in the player with reports that the only thing stopping the Toffees is the fact that Davinson Sanchez has not played long enough in Europe to gain a legitimate work-permit to play in the Premier League.
“Barcelona are lucky because otherwise Davinson Sanchez would already be playing at Everton under the orders of Ronald Koeman, who is enthusiastic about the boy. He has personally confirmed this to me on several occasions,” said Ajax coach Tonny Bruins.
The situation with Barcelona has also changed with the Catalan outfit taking note of Davinson’s performances in the Ajax senior squad and it is thought that the La Liga heavyweights are now convinced of the player’s first-team credentials.
Barcelona have been riddled with injuries to their defensive stars and are looking for additions. Davinson Sanchez fits the profile, as evidenced by Barcelona’s recent overtures in the transfer market. It will be interesting, though, if Ajax let Davinson leave in January with the Dutch giants plotting a title challenge this season, currently sitting second on the table.
But, January or summer, the player is tipped to join Barcelona soon, which means the Colombian would be joining another former Ajax player in fellow Latin American Luis Suarez.
