Barcelona look to Kevin Kampl after failing to sign Frenkie de Jong | OneFootball

Barcelona hit a road-block with Frenkie de Jong but have narrowed their focus on Kevin Kampl before the transfer window closes.

The Catalan club have been carefully tracking the latest Ajax wonderkid, de Jong, throughout the summer. For his part the player acknowledged the interest but recently commented that he’d likely stay in the Netherlands for another year.

SPORT reports that Ajax want to keep their midfield starlet for a deep run in the Champions League and that the reigning Spanish champions are looking elsewhere.

The paper cites Kevin Kampl as the prime target after Barcelona failed to persuade de Jong. The Slovenia international midfielder was an important part of RB Leipzig’s 2017-18 campaign after joining them from Bayer Leverkusen last summer.

The 27-year old has recent experience playing across the midfield but his ability to excel playing in front of the defence will offer manager Ernesto Valverde the opportunity to rest Sergio Busquets.

Kampl has also been linked with Atlético Madrid and Barcelona will race against their La Liga rivals and the clock to try to sign the midfielder before the transfer window closes in Spain on Friday.

The Catalan side have already acquired Arthur Melo and Arturo Vidal but signs point to Valverde wanting a bit more cover in midfield positions.