Barcelona renew contact with FC Twente for Nijstad as Cortés departs for Antwerp

Barcelona have renewed contact with FC Twente over teenage defender Ruud Nijstad, with a late bid possible before the transfer window closes, according to Voetbal International. The development comes as Álvaro Cortés completes a move to Royal Antwerp, freeing up space in the Blaugrana’s squad.

Interest in the 18-year-old is not new — links between Barcelona and Nijstad surfaced last season — but the story has resurfaced in the final days of the window. Voetbal International reports that Barcelona have contacted FC Twente again to discuss a potential deal, though the report stops short of confirming a formal offer has been made.

FC Twente coach John van den Brom was asked about the speculation ahead of his side’s match against Qarabag on Thursday. He said he had read the reports but could do little with them, and described the timing as unfortunate given it fell on matchday. Van den Brom acknowledged that Nijstad, at 18, can sometimes feel insecure, and suggested that stories of this nature do not help — though he conceded they might also give the player confidence that he is considered good enough for a move to one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Nijstad himself has previously played down the prospect of an imminent switch. Before the start of the season, he said he was not yet thinking about a move to Barcelona because he did not believe he would break into the first team at this stage. He has also spoken publicly about his longer-term ambition to play alongside Barcelona centre-back Pau Cubarsí.

For now, the situation remains fluid. Barcelona’s renewed contact has brought Nijstad back into the conversation in the closing hours of the window, but no bid has been confirmed and van den Brom’s comments suggest FC Twente are wary of the disruption the speculation creates around a young player.