Ajax technical director Jordi Cruijff has held preliminary talks with FC Twente right-back Bart van Rooij regarding a potential transfer this window, according to ESPN and RTV Oost.
The 25-year-old defender is being targeted as a replacement for Anton Gaaei, who is expected to leave the Johan Cruijff ArenA despite a collapsed move to Eintracht Frankfurt.
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FC Twente values Van Rooij at around €10 million, a price that previously deterred Feyenoord from making a formal bid.
Ajax also considers the valuation too steep, but negotiations continue.
Wolverhampton Wanderers offered €10 million for Van Rooij on the final day of the winter window, but the offer was rejected.
PSV and Feyenoord are also monitoring the situation as possible replacements for Sergiño Dest and Givairo Read.
Van Rooij debuted professionally for NEC in 2019, making 170 appearances with seven goals and 15 assists before joining Twente in 2024.
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In two seasons with Twente, he has four goals and 12 assists in 83 matches, including three goals and five assists in 33 league games last season to help secure a fourth-place Eredivisie finish.
The defender fits new Ajax manager Míchel's tactical setup by positioning alongside central defenders during build-up and providing line-breaking passes.
Joël Veltman, training with Jong Ajax, is not being considered.
"Van Rooij has been intensively monitored by Ajax in recent months and is held in high regard at the Johan Cruijff ArenA," ESPN reported, adding that his style aligns with Míchel's demands for a right-back.
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Van Rooij traveled with Twente for their Europa League second qualifying round second leg against Ferencvaros in Budapest, where they seek to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit.
