Barcelona will reportedly need to fork out €7 million to sign 29-year-old Argentine international Nicolas Tagliafico, a target for Chelsea, from Ajax this month.
According to a report by Argentine outlet TyC Sports, Barcelona and Chelsea know how much they will have to pay to secure the services of Nicolas Tagliafico. Ajax will let the Argentine international leave if a suitor shells out €7 million to land him in the ongoing transfer window.
Nicolas Tagliafico has endured a roller-coaster ride at Ajax since arriving from Independiente in January 2018. For most of his stay at the Dutch club, the 29-year-old had been the resounding first-choice left-back, with his performances also earning him a regular berth in the Argentine national side.
But 2021/22 has been a season to forget for Tagliafico, as he has fallen behind Daley Blind in the pecking order for left-backs. As a result, the player has started only five of the 27 games played by Ajax this season, chipping in with a goal and an assist. But despite his struggles, the 29-year-old does not have any shortage of suitors, with Barcelona and Chelsea keen on signing him.
Barcelona’s links with Tagliafico are a byproduct of Jordi Alba’s inconsistencies this season. The Spaniard is showing signs that age is catching up with him, and he needs to be phased out sooner or later. On top of that, with Alejandro Balde yet to completely settle into his role in the first-team setup, the Catalan giants need to sign a left-back this month.
Tagliafico is thus a viable target for Barcelona, with his €7 million price tag likely to appeal to the Blaugrana. The valuation should also leave its mark on Chelsea, who are also scouring the market for a left-back in the wake of Ben Chilwell’s season-ending injury.
The Argentine international is one of several left-backs to have popped up on Chelsea’s radar in the last few weeks. While Kenedy has been recalled from his loan spell at Flamengo, he is unlikely to feature much in the second half of the season. And with Marcos Alonso blowing hot and cold, Chelsea could do with a new left wing-back.
The Blues are yet to present a formal offer to Ajax, but with Barcelona also emerging in his pursuit, they will have to step up their efforts to sign him. Both Chelsea and Barcelona have alternate targets in their shortlists, with Layvin Kurzawa another left-back the two European giants are vying for this month. As for the pursuit of Tagliafico, it will not be surprising to see him leave Ajax in a €7 million deal in the coming week.
