Ajax's Champions League progression delays De Jong's Barça move
Ajax will take on Standard Liege in the next round of the Champions League and won't play the return leg until the 14th August
There were no surprises as Ajax eliminated Sturm Graz in the recent Champions League qualifying round. The Dutch side march onto the next stage where they will come up against Standard Liege.
As a result, Barça acknowledge that it'll be difficult to lure Frenkie De Jong away while Ajax are still in the hunt to qualify for the group stages. The club hopes that Marc Overmars will consider a transfer once their goal has been achieved.
Now, at the earliest, Ajax will be in the competition until the return leg of the tie against Liege on the 14th August. Yet more delays in a deal which appears less and less likely to happen.
Barça insist that De Jong has the ideal profile to reinforce their midfield whilst Ajax believe the player is still developing and won't consider a sale until the 2019/20 season.
