Tuesday, 2nd July, 2013
Ajax have ramped up efforts to sign Mike van der Hoorn from FC Utrecht as a potential replacement for Toby Alderweireld, with the player given permission to speak with the Eredivisie giants.
Utrecht general manager Wilco van Schaik also confirmed they had been holding discussions with Ajax over the transfer of Van der Hoorn, who turned out 31 times in the Eredivisie last season.
With European Under-21 Championship games also under his belt for Holland, Van Schaik has a high valuation for his player, and insists Ajax must meet the same if the transfer is to go through.
"Over the last few weeks, we have spoken with Ajax several times, doing so in a very pleasant, open and business atmosphere", Van Schaik was quoted by De Telegraaf as saying.
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"We have also given Mike permission to speak with Ajax.
"We have made clear to [Ajax director of football] Marc Overmars what our valuation of Mike is and Ajax have also given their version of the same to us.
"We both agree that the difference must be bridged and only then can we have clarity."
Van der Hoorn is expected to be a like-for-like replacement for Alderweireld, who is being courted by Bayer Leverkusen, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Alderweireld turned up for pre-season training yesterday but insisted there were no concrete offers yet for him.
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