Credit: The Brighton Base
Brighton are reportedly among the teams interested in FC Twente centre-back Ruud Nijstad, but they face competition from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
The 18-year-old defender only made his senior debut earlier this season, but in his 13 appearances, he has impressed with his composure and decision-making. Nijstad has also chipped in with an assist against Ajax, as well as helping his side keep three clean sheets.
According to [TEAMtalk](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/man-city-chelsea-making-strides-sign-dutch-prodigy-ruud-nijstad), the Seagulls aren’t alone in their interest in the Dutchman though, with Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund all keeping a close eye on his progress as well.
It’s said that Barcelona are the club who have been pushing the hardest in recent months, but despite early talks, the Catalan giants are reluctant to pay the £8.7million asking price quoted by Twente.
In addition to a holdup in negotiations between the two clubs, the player himself is unconvinced by the development plan presented to him by Barcelona and is unsure whether heading to the Camp Nou is the correct next step in his career.
Since the La Liga’s outfit’s hesitation in negotiations, Newcastle, RB Leipzig, Aston Villa, Brentford and Brighton have all checked on Nijstad, with many of those sides sending scouts to review his performances regularly, and the feedback has been ‘overwhelmingly positive’.
Despite many clubs being interested, the most significant movement is coming from Chelsea’s BlueCo and Manchester City’s City Football Group, with both ‘actively working’ on the youngster’s situation.
The Dutch club are said to be pushing for their academy graduate to extend his contract beyond 2027, but with Europe’s biggest clubs and half of the Premier League circling, his time in Holland is likely to be over when the summer transfer window arrives.