Nicolas Tagliafico has opened the door to finally completing a transfer to Barcelona, suggesting it will be easier for him to leave Ajax in the summer.
In an interview with Argentine outlet TNT Sports, Nicolas Tagliafico has hinted that joining Barcelona in the summer transfer window will be an easier process. The Argentine international is keen on leaving Ajax ahead of the 2022/23 season, searching for regular game-time.
Nicolas Tagliafico has endured a tough 2022/23 campaign, becoming a bit-part player for Ajax despite excelling in his three full seasons before this term. Erik ten Hag has opted to deploy Daley Blind as the first-choice left-back at Ajax, meaning Tagliafico has had to suffice with rare outings in Eredivisie.
The 29-year-old has garnered only 864 minutes of game-time across 23 appearances in all competitions this term, starting just seven of the 40 games played by Ajax thus far. With his career headed nowhere and a place in the Argentine national team to secure, Tagliafico is unsurprisingly keen on leaving Ajax. And his next destination could be Barcelona.
Barcelona had been hot on Tagliafico’s trail in the January transfer window, but a move could not materialise. Ajax’s asking price ended up being beyond Barcelona’s means, and the Blaugrana ended the previous window without signing a left-back.
Nicolás Tagliafico: “Barça? The deal was complicated for the club in January – but I think that now, in June, it will be easier”, he told TNT Sport. ?? #FCB
Tagliafico has new agents now – and he’s leaving Ajax for sure this summer. pic.twitter.com/HBmMKqHDWA
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 20, 2022
But with Jordi Alba well into his thirties, Barcelona must lay down a succession plan for the veteran full-back, especially with Alejandro Grimaldo being slow to settle down in the first-team setup at Camp Nou. And Tagliafico could be the ideal short-term solution for Barcelona, with the player himself pointing towards the possibility of a summer transfer.
Speaking with TNT Sports, Tagliafico said, “I have a contract here until mid-2023, I have a year and a little more left. I didn’t get excited, but I expressed what I felt, you don’t have to keep it to yourself. But hey, moments gone by and now we have to think about what we’re experiencing.”
“There was an interest [from Barcelona], the clubs spoke, but they did not agree…It was something complicated for the club at the moment, but I think surely now in June it will be easier.”
Also Read: Three potential alternatives to Jose Gaya for Barcelona
Tagliafico remains on Barcelona’s radar over a possible move in the summer transfer window. But Jose Gaya is reportedly the priority for the Blaugrana, meaning the 29-year-old Argentine international will need to hold his horses before realising his desire to join Barcelona.
