Frenkie de Jong Aware of Transfer Interest Amid Barcelona Rumours

Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong has said he is aware of interest from Barcelona but is focused on his current club for now.

The Blaugrana have been linked with a swoop for the 21-year-old in the current transfer window after his impressive displays in the Eredivisie for the Amsterdam giants. De Jong told Dutch magazine Voetbal International (h/t Football Espana) that he does have admirers, although he's not thinking about going anywhere.

"I'm an Ajax player so I can't say too much about it at the moment," he said. "Of course there is interest, everyone knows that, but I am an Ajax player, as I say. In the beginning, the transfer rumours are nice, but gradually I think I don't need this anymore, they can write what they want. That's not me and it's not that I think ah, that's nice."

As noted by Football Espana, in addition to Barcelona, the likes of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have also been linked with a possible €40 million (£35 million) move for De Jong.

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It's added that De Jong’s representative, Ali Dursun, is scheduled to meet with Marc Overmars, Ajax's director of football, about a new contract for the youngster.

De Jong made 22 starts for Ajax in the Dutch top flight last season, often playing as a centre-back as well as in midfield. However, it's clear he has the technical quality and awareness to dictate the course of matches.

The EiF Twitter account commented on De Jong's use of the ball, comparing him to a Barcelona playmaker:

The interest in the youngster is understandable, as he's one of a number of exciting prospects to emerge from the Ajax academy in recent years.

De Jong has clearly been schooled with the traditions of the club in mind, too. He is at ease on the ball, he knows when to release possession at the opportune time and he positions himself expertly on the pitch in order to be in as much space as possible.

They're traits that have traditionally translated to Barcelona players, and De Jong would potentially be viewed as a successor for Sergio Busquets in years to come.

The Football Talent Scout Twitter account reckons he's more like another Barca icon:

Barcelona have a high-class squad, although they do lack someone capable of filling in for Busquets in front of the back four. At times last season when the midfielder didn't play, the Blaugrana didn't operate with the same verve in their attacking approach play.

De Jong may not be ready to leave Ajax quite yet, though, and it's clear from the previous quotes that'd he'd be content to stay with the club for the coming campaign. For a young player on a rapid trajectory, another season getting regular football will be more beneficial than one on the fringes at the Camp Nou.