Barcelona make Twente defender Rod Nijstad a January priority

Barcelona have renewed their interest in 18-year-old Twente centre-back Rod Nijstad as they plan their recruitment for the January transfer window.

Nijstad was linked with a move to the Spanish club during the summer, but remained with Twente after Barcelona and other major European sides explored the possibility of signing him.

According to Tribuna, Barcelona’s sporting director Deco wants to strengthen the centre-back position, with a young defender now among the club’s priorities. The club’s current options include Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin and Andreas Christensen, while Eric Garcia and Jules Kounde are regularly used at right-back by manager Hansi Flick.

Nijstad has returned to Barcelona’s shortlist after impressing with his physical attributes, positioning and ability to begin attacks from defence. However, Spanish newspaper Sport reports that Twente value the player at about 20m euros.

The defender’s contract runs until June 2029, while Barcelona’s financial restrictions could make any deal difficult to complete. The Catalan club are also monitoring alternatives including Yuri Bass, Castello Lukeba and Arthur Dias. A move for Alessandro Bastoni or Josko Gvardiol is considered unrealistic at present.

Nijstad chose to stay at Twente

Nijstad’s father, Maurice, has discussed the decision for his son to continue at Twente despite interest from several leading clubs. Speaking to Dutch newspaper NRC, he said the choice had been entirely the player’s own.

“‘I have not finished my task here yet. I want to give something back to the people at Twente who have given me so much,’” Maurice recalled his son telling him.

Barcelona, which Nijstad regards as his dream club, were among the teams to show an interest. Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord and Juventus had also previously considered signing the Netherlands Under-? defender. The player visited several clubs with his parents and representatives while assessing his options for the future.

Nijstad has previously acknowledged his delight at Barcelona’s interest in an interview with Voetbal International.

“It is the biggest club in the world. When a club of that size wants to sign you, it is a great feeling,” he said.

He also confirmed there had been contact between Barcelona and Twente, but said his current club had taken a firm position and was not prepared to make his departure easier.

‘Positioning is one of my strengths’

Nijstad says physical battles are not the defining feature of his game.

“That is not where my biggest strengths lie. I rarely get involved in what my father calls kicking contests and physical duels. That was more his speciality,” he said.

Maurice believes his son’s positioning helps him avoid those situations.

“Rod has a talent for positioning himself well, so he rarely finds himself in those positions. He did not inherit that from me,” he said.

The pair do see similarities in their reading of the game and their ability to organise team-mates, however. “In that respect, I can see something of myself in him,” Maurice added.