Barcelona had an €8 million offer for Ruud Nijstad turned down in the summer. The Catalan club are now preparing a substantially larger proposal, reportedly worth around €25 million, Sport Witness has reported on the back of De Telegraaf’s coverage.

FC Twente want to move first. The Eredivisie side are planning improved terms for the 18-year-old centre-back, who only signed a contract until 2029 in July, in an effort to make him harder to prise away in January.

Erik ten Hag, who became FC Twente’s technical director in February 2025, has acknowledged the queue that has formed behind the teenager.

“Indeed, there is interest in him. Some of Europe’s top eight clubs have enquired about him,” Ten Hag told Catalan outlet Sport.

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Ten Hag added that it was “admirable” Nijstad had chosen to stay in Enschede for the season.

United and Bayern also in the mix

Manchester United are tracking the Netherlands under-19 international for January, according to Sport Witness, with Bayern Munich also keeping tabs. The valuation FC Twente have in mind is some distance clear of any price yet put on Nijstad.

Transfermarkt rates Nijstad at €18 million, and FC Twente’s record sale remains the €14 million Southampton paid for Dušan Tadić in 2014. Reports suggest the Dutch club believe Nijstad can eventually fetch around €40 million, which is why they would rather keep hold of him until at least next summer.

Ten Hag has not hidden the economic reality facing Dutch clubs.

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“All clubs in the Netherlands have to sell players every year. To remain competitive in Europe, you need a certain budget. And to guarantee that, you simply have to sell,” he told Sport.

Nijstad has already looked towards Barcelona

The teenager has made clear where part of his head is pointing. Nijstad has said he would relish playing alongside Pau Cubarsi at Barcelona, a remark the Catalan side will not have missed as they prepare their second attempt.

For now, Nijstad has logged 1,485 minutes across 17 matches this season for FC Twente, and his contract runs until June 2029.

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