Ajax star Nicolas Tagliafico is ‘pushing’ to join Spanish giants Barcelona before the close of the January transfer window, it has been confirmed.

Links between Argentine international Tagliafico and the Blaugrana have of course begun to ramp up over recent weeks.

This comes amid a concerning stretch of form on the part of current first-choice left-back Jordi Alba, culminating in the widespread agreement that left-back reinforcements to Xavi Hernandez’s ranks are a must ahead of the 2nd half of the campaign.

And, if Tagliafico himself has his way, then he will indeed be the man to imminently shore up the left side of Barca’s backline.

As per a report from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the 29-year-old is ‘pushing’ hard for a move to Catalunya, desperate to take advantage of the chance to play for one of world football’s biggest clubs.

Disagreement, however, remains between the respective boards at Barcelona and Ajax, with the former hopeful of a loan deal, whilst Ajax continue to demand a more permanent solution:

Barca’s top-4 hunt continues

Xavi’s troops are of course set to mark their return to action late on Sunday evening.

On the back of a trio of successive outings without victory over the course of the last fortnight, the Blaugrana will make the trip to Mendizorrotza, for a La Liga showdown with Deportivo Alaves.

A win looks a must amid the club’s efforts to keep pace with the top-4, after Atletico Madrid staged a remarkable comeback on Saturday, recovering from two goals down to eventually put Valencia to the sword in a five-goal thriller:

 

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