FC Barcelona plans to make a fresh bid in January for FC Twente defender Ruud Nijstad, as Voetbal International reported.

Technical director Erik ten Hag warded off the approach when Barcelona reached out in Enschede last summer. The past summer transfer window also brought interest from PSV, while heavyweights like Chelsea FC monitored the defender closely.

Hansi Flick’s squad faces ongoing defensive struggles and views Nijstad as a long-term solution. The Spanish champions want to sign the youth international, though a winter deal is difficult. The technical leadership at Barcelona holds the 18-year-old central defender in high regard.

FC Twente values the defender at 20 miljoen euro, a figure Barcelona considers excessive for a player of his age. Nijstad signed a contract extension last summer running until mid-2029.

Meeting Twente’s valuation would set a new club transfer record for the Tukkers. The current benchmark stands at 14 miljoen euro when Dusan Tadic transferred to Southampton.

Barcelona operates under strict La Liga financial constraints and remains reluctant to pay the full asking price. Potential departures, such as left-back Alejandro Baldé falling out of favor under Flick, could create necessary budget space. The defender has slipped to the sidelines and was previously linked with Manchester United.

“Je moet hem verkopen en dan voor anderhalf jaar nog verhuren aan FC Twente,” said Kees Kwakman during ESPN program Voetbalpraat, as reported by Twentefans.nl.

If FC Twente sells the burgeoning talent, Kwakman still hopes Nijstad can be admired in Enschede for the time being. Kwakman added: “Als je zo’n bedrag krijgt, dat is toch niet normaal? Je zou haast denken dat ze hem al helemaal niet meer kunnen kopen.”

Marciano Vink said that clubs like Twente face natural ceilings in the transfer market compared to traditional Dutch powers. “Je zit ook met wat Twente als club maximaal kan vragen. Zet je hem bij Ajax of PSV neer, mag je zomaar tien tot vijftien miljoen vragen,” Vink said on Voetbalpraat, according to Twentefans.nl.

Barcelona continues preparations for the upcoming winter transfer window as technical staff evaluate defensive reinforcements. Sport expects Barça to return to Enschede in January.