Barca swoop for Dutch wonderkid Onstein as Milan deal collapses
Barcelona close in on promising 18-year-old Dutch defender Juwensley Onstein from Genk, hijacking what seemed a done deal with AC Milan.
Barcelona have pipped AC Milan to the signature of promising Dutch defender Juwensley Onstein, with the Genk youngster now on the verge of a move to Catalonia despite reports in Belgium and Italy suggesting his Rossoneri switch was a done deal.
Who is Juwensley Onstein?
Standing at a towering 1.88m (6’2”), the 18-year-old central defender has been turning heads in Belgium’s second division with Jong Genk. Born in Arnhem and representing the Netherlands at U18 level (though with Surinamese heritage), Onstein has gone from relative obscurity to being splashed across sports pages worldwide.
His football journey has been interesting:
- Started at Vitesse before Ajax snapped him up in 2019
- Spent four years in the famed Ajax academy system
- Moved to Genk in 2023, known for their exceptional youth development
- Made 16 appearances for Jong Genk (their B team) last season
- Currently sidelined with injuries this campaign
Playing style and potential
Those who’ve watched him regularly in Belgium describe Onstein as remarkably quick for his height - a proper Rolls Royce of a defender. Belgian outlet Voetbalkrant praised his “excellent physical condition and exceptional vision,” calling him one of the best defenders of his generation.
However, sources tell MARCA he sometimes lacks composure when pressed high up the pitch, though his technical abilities have improved significantly since joining Genk.
The left-footed centre-back signed his professional contract with Genk at just 16, with the club’s technical coordinator Stijn Haeldermans describing him as “a modern central defender who fits perfectly with Genk’s football vision” due to his speed, physical presence and technical quality.
Barcelona bound
What seemed a done deal with AC Milan - who planned to integrate him into their Milan Futuro setup before a first-team promotion - has collapsed at the eleventh hour.
According to transfer specialist Matteo Moretto, “the agreement is close and the player’s desire has been key” in choosing Barcelona. The youngster himself has previously declared: “I’m a true winner” - and that winning mentality has apparently led him to choose the blaugrana project.
For Barça fans hoping for the next big thing in defence, this Dutch talent could be just what the doctor ordered. Talk about a proper result for Barça’s recruitment team!