According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are still closely monitoring Ruud Nijstad, the 18-year-old FC Twente center-back and one of the most promising young talents in Dutch football.
This was confirmed by Erik ten Hag, former Manchester United manager and current technical director at FC Twente, in an interview on ESPN's Good Morning Eredivisie. He said: "There is indeed interest. Some of Europe's top eight clubs have inquired about him." Barcelona are one of them.
Erik ten Hag did not hide the level of outside attention on the defender, stating that several of Europe's top eight clubs have made specific inquiries about his situation. Clubs linked with Ruud Nijstad include Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United. The Dutchman praised the player, calling him an extraordinary talent who broke into the first team last season, and singled out his confidence at such a young age. He also said that working with Ruud Nijstad was a pleasure and that it was good that so many big clubs continued to follow his development.
Barcelona's interest is not new. Last summer, they attempted to sign Ruud Nijstad, but FC Twente refused to let him go. Ruud Nijstad also acknowledged at the time that there had been contact between the two clubs and said he was pleased to have attracted the interest of the Catalan club. Erik ten Hag said: "His conscious decision to stay at FC Twente for another year is admirable. This will benefit everyone."
However, he did not rule out a future transfer. The former Manchester United manager noted that Eredivisie clubs need to sell players regularly to sustain their budgets and remain competitive in European competition. He said this reality applies not only to FC Twente but also to Ajax, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord. "All Dutch clubs must sell players every year. To remain competitive in Europe, you need a certain budget. And to secure that, you can only sell players."
Ruud Nijstad's contract runs until June 2029, and he has now become a regular starter for FC Twente. His growth and the increasing interest from European giants suggest that the battle for his signature will be intense. Barcelona tried to sign him previously and are still in the running. Given his performances and potential, his value has soared and is estimated at over 20 million euros. If Premier League clubs join the bidding, FC Twente hope to receive a transfer fee close to double that amount.