Barcelona identify Ajax youngster as Busquets’ successor

Sergio Busquets has been an excellent servant for Barcelona over the years. A club legend in every right, the veteran midfielder has been pivotal to the success that the Catalans have achieved over the last decade.

However, the Barça skipper will be turning 34 by the time the new season comes along and it is time that the club starts to think about the future. As things stand, there is no natural backup or replacement for the Spanish international in the squad.

Frenkie de Jong and Nico Gonzalez are seen as viable options to take over from Busquets once the seasoned campaigner will be phased out. But there remains a strong possibility that the Blaugrana decide to bring in someone from the outside as well.

And, as per Mundo Deportivo, AFC Ajax sensation Ryan Gravenberch is a player that is very much on the club’s radar as a potential candidate to replace Busquets at Camp Nou in the long term.

The 19-year-old is a product of the Ajax youth academy and has blossomed into one of the most talented young midfielders in Europe over the past couple of years. A full international with the Netherlands, his contract with the Dutch giants stands to expire in 2023.

It would mean that Gravenberch could be available on a bargain in the summer, which could prompt Barça into action. The report states that the Catalans had tried to get a preferential clause for him when they were negotiating for Frenkie de Jong in 2019 but were unsuccessful.

Gravenberch, in a recent interview, admitted that he would not leave Ajax on a free transfer, which could be seen as a hint that the midfielder could move later this year.

“I don’t know if I’ll go this summer. What I am sure of is that I will not leave Ajax if they do not receive anything in return. Ajax has always treated me well and I owe this club a lot,” he commented. 

An opportunity could present itself for the Blaugrana to sign the teenager this summer, although they will likely face competition from Bayern Munich and arch-rivals Real Madrid.