The Brazil international was the subject of an $12.5 million bid from the Amsterdammers, but Barca have swooped in as favorite to seal the deal with a $16 million offer.

"Barcelona had suggested loaning Henrique to us some time ago, but it's really too early to say," Ajax technical director Danny Blind told De Telegraaf. "Of course, we would like to have him for a longer period of time, but if other options are not feasible, than we could consider a loan deal."

"In that case he would be an option, he concluded. "After all, it's clear for anyone to see that we want him."