Barcelona Transfer News: Frenkie de Jong Deal Agreed in Latest Rumours

Barcelona have reportedly agreed a deal with Ajax over the signing of Frenkie de Jong, and the Dutch club's progress in the UEFA Champions League will dictate whether he moves to the Camp Nou this summer or next.

According to Juan Manuel Diaz of Sport, Ajax director of football Marc Overmars has agreed to a proposal that will see De Jong stay in Amsterdam for another season if they qualify for this season's Champions League group stage but leave for Barcelona if they fail to do so.

Ajax are midway through the third qualifying round for Europe's premier club competition and drew 2-2 with Standard Liege in the first leg on Tuesday.

Should they get past the Belgian side, they will face a play-off tie against Slavia Prague or Dynamo Kiev.

Whatever happens, Ajax's Champions League fate for this season will be decided by August 28, two days before the transfer window closes.

Per Diaz, De Jong will cost Barcelona €50 million (£45 million), the kind of windfall that would be a huge boost to Ajax's finances should they fail to qualify for the Champions League proper.

The Eredivisie giants will be able to afford to keep hold of the player if they make it into the group stage, hence the Netherlands U21 international's situation.

Soccrates Images/Getty Images

Speaking to De Telegraaf in July, Overmars ruled out the possibility of selling De Jong, Matthijs de Ligt or Donny van de Beek this summer, even for "an insane amount" (h/t Goal's Chris Burton).

Barca should be delighted with the progress that has been made, and it seems almost certain De Jong will be a Barcelona player sooner or later.

The 21-year-old can play as both a defensive midfielder and a centre-back. Per WhoScored.com, he boasts the kind of passing acumen Barcelona players need:

If and when he moves to the Camp Nou, it is unlikely he will become a regular starter straight away.

But De Jong looks a natural successor to Sergio Busquets in the Barca engine room, and it is little surprise the Blaugrana have pushed so hard to sign him up.