Nicolas Tagliafico is reportedly determined to leave Ajax this month but is waiting for Barcelona to submit an offer to sign him.
According to a report by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Nicolas Tagliafico wants to call it quits at Ajax in the ongoing transfer window. The Argentine international already has an offer to join Napoli but is waiting for Barcelona to make a bid to sign him this month.
Nicolas Tagliafico took no time to establish himself as one of the most enterprising full-backs in Europe upon joining Ajax from Independiente in January 2018. For the better part of the last four years, the 29-year-old had been a regular for club and country, but his stock has fallen considerably this term.
Daley Blind has been utilised as a left-back by Erik Ten Hag, and the Dutchman’s role change has adversely affected Tagliafico. As a result, the Argentine defender has started only six of the 29 games played by Ajax this season, chipping in with two goals and an assist. But despite his struggles, the player does not have any shortage of suitors, with Barcelona keen on signing him.
The interest from Barcelona stems from Jordi Alba’s struggles this season, with the veteran left-back’s performance levels horribly on the wane. And with young Alejandro Balde yet to get fully settled into the environs of the first-team setup at Camp Nou, Barcelona’s need to sign a left-back has accentuated.
Widespread reports have claimed that Barcelona will likely enter the market for a left-back in the summer transfer window, giving Alba the chance to turn his fortunes around in the second half of the season. But the opportunity to sign Tagliafico will likely disappear after the current window shuts down.
The 29-year-old is keen on leaving Ajax to secure regular game-time and become Argentina’s first-choice left-back at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Tagliafico already has an offer on the table from Napoli but is also aware of Barcelona’s links with him.
The player is thus stalling on accepting Napoli’s offer, waiting to see if Barcelona will table a bid to sign him. Despite their financial woes, meeting his reported €7 million valuation might be within Barcelona’s means. But squad registration issues may beckon, and the Blaugrana will have to sell or loan out one player to land Tagliafico.
