Barcelona will reportedly make a late attempt to secure the services of 29-year-old Argentine international Nicolas Tagliafico from Ajax before the transfer deadline.
According to a report by Spanish publication SPORT, La Liga heavyweights Barcelona have not given up on their pursuit of Nicolas Tagliafico. The Catalan giants are set to make a last-ditch attempt to sign the 29-year-old Argentine international, with talks scheduled with Ajax.
Nicolas Tagliafico has been enduring his worst season since joining Ajax from Independiente in January 2018. For much of his stint with the Dutch giants, the player had been the first-choice left-back. But with Erik Ten Hag preferring to deploy Daley Blind in the position, Tagliafico has had to play second fiddle this season.
The 29-year-old has started only six of the 29 games played by Ajax this season, chipping in with two goals and an assist. And the Argentine international is eager to call it quits at the club before the January transfer window slams shut, with Barcelona his preferred destination.
The Catalan giants hold a long-standing interest in Tagliafico, having made previous attempts to secure his services. With Jordi Alba enduring a significant dip in performance levels in the last few years, and Alejandro Balde being slow to settle into the environs of the first-team setup at Camp Nou, Barcelona’s need to sign a left-back has been accentuated.
That is why one of Barcelona’s priorities in the January transfer window has been to bolster the left-back spot, with Tagliafico quickly becoming their primary target. With the Argentine international keen on joining Barcelona, the only formality remaining to be sorted out is the agreement with Ajax, although that is easier said than done.
Barcelona’s financial woes prevent them from paying Ajax’s €7 million asking price, and they are hoping to sign the 29-year-old on an initial loan deal. But while Ajax will not decline an offer if the La Liga heavyweights are ready to include an obligation to buy clause, Barcelona’s preference is to keep it optional.
Another alternative is to include a player as a makeweight to sign Tagliafico, with Barcelona ready to send Alejandro Balde to Ajax. But the teenage prodigy has no intention of going to Ajax and will look to stay put until a better offer comes his way.
The Argentine international’s move to Barcelona thus appears to be hanging in the balance, and a late move appears unlikely, although the two clubs will remain in talks until the final moments of the winter transfer window.