Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong is unable to rule out a summer move to Barcelona after being identified as a possible replacement for Andres Iniesta.
Initial contact has been made with Ajax, with tentative talks held before Barca discovered that Antoine Griezmann would be snubbing them to remain at Atletico Madrid.
With that switch ruled out, the La Liga giants have money to invest in other areas – with De Jong considered to be a useful addition for the present and future.
The Netherlands U21 international is aware of the rumours and concedes that something could be done, telling AT5: “Of course, you can never promise that [staying at Ajax] as a footballer.
“There may be a club tomorrow that offers so much that you are away. But, as it stands, I play at Ajax.
“First, I have to get fit. And just see if I can play football a bit, then we’ll see further.”
Quizzed specifically on the links to Barcelona, De Jong added: “I do not really read the Spanish newspapers.
“Right now it is not so serious for me that I have to keep myself busy with it. I leave that to my agent.
“I do not know if he is working on it. Maybe, maybe not.”
De Jong has made just 27 Eredivisie appearances for Ajax after stepping up from their youth side.
He has recorded only one goal, but is considered to fit the ball player mould that Barcelona are looking for.
Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan is another to have been linked with a switch to Catalunya to fill Iniesta’s boots, but the Germany international has sought to distance himself from such talk.