Barcelona have edged ahead of Everton for Ajax star defender Davinson Sanchez
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RONALD KOEMAN'S hopes of landing defender Davinson Sanchez from Ajax could hit the buffers.
Barcelona are also on the case and talks between all three parties have already under way.
Sanchez joined Ajax - over Barca - last summer from Atletico Nacional for £4.2million.
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Everton will be disappointed at the news as Koeman thought his Dutch connections could seal the deal.
Said Ajax coach Tonny Bruins: "Barca are lucky because otherwise Davinson Sanchez would already be playing at Everton under the orders of Ronald Koeman, who is enthusiastic about the boy.
"He has personally confirmed this to me on several occasions."
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The Colombian, a regular internationa, has not yet managed to have enough time to meet the requirements for a work permit for a Premier League club.
Sanchez previously turned down a move to Barcelona after discovering he wouldn’t be playing alongside Lionel Messi and co in the Nou Camp club’s first team.
When he discovered that Barca’s intention was for him to train with Luis Enrique’s men but to play in Spain’s third tier with Barcelona B, he turned down the opportunity to join one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
But it's a different story now after plenty of senior team experience with Ajax.
Everton continue to be linked with a move for Axel Witsel.
The Belgian midfielder was thought to be a target for the Blues in the summer, but Witsel remained with Zenit St Petersburg to run down his contract, which expires next summer.
Juventus are ready to make their final offer but should that fail then the door could open once again for Koeman to make a play for Witsel.