De Boer unfazed by potential exits

Ajax coach Frank de Boer is unfazed by the possible departure of several key men, suggesting such exits have become normal for the Dutch giants.

Toby Alderweireld, Christian Eriksen and Siem de Jong are all on the radar of several big clubs, and De Boer appears resigned to fact they will leave the club.

“(Rafael) van der Vaart and (Nigel) De Jong began the trend of players leaving Ajax when they turn 22,” the former defender told De Telegraaf.

“The philosophy at Ajax is simply that the inflow of youth players is set higher.

“My stance towards Alderweireld and Eriksen is based on their contracts expiring this summer, even though I hope they will stay.

“If they leave, Siem will be the only player left of his generation. If boys like him stay until they are 24, then they would already have stayed an additional two years.”

De Jong has developed into an important element of the Amsterdam outfit since he was promoted to the first-team in 2007, and was made captain in the wake of Jan Vertonghen’s departure.

De Jong, however, said he was not set on an exit from the club.

“They only asked me about my plans at the end of this season,” he said.

“I told them to consider any important opportunities elsewhere for me, but that does not necessarily mean I want to leave.”