What’s the story?
Barcelona have decided to sign Davinson Sanchez from Ajax according to AS. The Spanish publication claim that the Dutch club has acknowledged that they cannot keep the defender at the club anymore despite having signed him last summer.
The Colombian defender is aware of the Catalan side's interest in him and has said, "People in South America know Ajax as a nice gateway to a good career in Europe. It is very flattering to be linked with a club like Barcelona. But I only just got here, and I want to achieve something before making the next step. I am not thinking about it for now. Ajax are my main priority at this stage."
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In case you didn’t know...
Ajax signed Sanchez for just £4.2m from Atletico Nacional, a first division team in the Categoría Primera A. Just half way into the season, and Nacional are already close to the title. They are currently on top of the table with 38 points, while the 2nd placed team has got just 31 points from 14 matches.
Barcelona were also interested in signing him last summer, but the Dutch side made a move just as Blaugrana were sealing a deal for Samuel Umtiti. They reportedly had offered the Colombian team the same move the same amount of money but were ready to pay only in instalments. Ajax swooped in and agreed to pay the whole sum and sign him.
The heart of the matter
Despite signing him for just £4.2 million less than a year ago, they have slapped a price tag of £21million (€25m) on him. Barcelona are desperate to sgin him as they seee him as Samuel Umtiti’s long-term defensive partner at the Nou Camp.
What’s next?
Barcelona have the option of matching the price tag slepped by Ajax on him or negotiate a price with the Dutch side. However, with Javier Mascherano and Jérémy Mathieu in their 30's, the club are bound to sign the Colombian without much ado.
Author’s Take
Davinson Sanchez is a bright prospect and it's a surprise that not many clubs have shown interest in him. So many clubs need a defender and still, none of them have scouted the Ajax man.
Barcelona will have a defender who's capable of being one of the best very soon and along with Umtiti, the club will have a great pairing in the heart of the defence.
