Barcelona closely following 20-year-old Ajax attacking talent | OneFootball

One of the positions that FC Barcelona intend to strengthen in the summer is the left-wing slot.

Raphinha is the first-choice starter in the role and Marcus Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, has done exceedingly well so far.

Barça wish to sign the Englishman permanently at the end of the season, but are reluctant to pay the €30 million fee agreed upon with the Premier League club.

In case the move does not go through, it makes sense for the La Liga champions to keep an eye on alternatives in the market.

Barcelona tracking Mika Godts

To that end, Voetbal International (h/t SPORT) reports that Barcelona are closely tracking the progress of AFC Ajax starlet Mika Godts.

A 20-year-old winger, who has become the Dutch giants’ standout performer this season, Godts is attracting significant attention on the market.

Barcelona have followed him closely on several occasions without yet making a formal move, although they are among the clubs showing the strongest interest.

Godts is a very direct winger, quick and strong in one-on-one situations. His main weakness had been his finishing, but this season he has already recorded ten goals and nine assists and has clearly been Ajax’s most decisive player.

Mika Godts is being tracked by Barcelona. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Barcelona are monitoring his progress closely alongside Arsenal. These two clubs are the ones that have watched him live most frequently, although others have taken more concrete steps.

Indeed, Napoli contacted Ajax in recent weeks for Godts, while AS Roma and VfB Stuttgart have already spoken with the player’s representatives.

Barcelona may have an advantage

Godts is currently valued at around €15 million, but Ajax do not intend to sell the Belgian gem unless a significant offer arrives.

Relations between Ajax and Barcelona have traditionally been very strong, with numerous transfer dealings in recent years, which could give the Catalans an advantage.

The presence of former Barcelona director Jordi Cruyff at Ajax, after being appointed as their new director recently, also plays in the Blaugrana’s favour.

For now, however, Barcelona’s priority for the winger position is to secure Rashford on a permanent basis next summer.