AFC Ajax director of football Marc Overmars has revealed the club are not looking to sell highly-rated youngsters Davy Klaassen and Joel Veltman in the near future.
Both Klaassen and Veltman have been first-team regulars under manager Frank de Boer this season, with the club edging closer to a fourth consecutive Dutch Eredivisie title.
The likes of Arsenal and Manchester United have been linked with summer swoops for Klaassen and Veltman but Overmars wants to stand firm in order to keep the star duo at the AMSTERDAM ArenA.
“We are constantly working on a puzzle and every time you have it almost complete, it can fall apart, because a piece is snapped up,” said Overmars.
“But I’m going to the gate and lie in front of it when they come for Joel Veltman or Davy Klaassen.
“I love Ajax being attractive for a transfer, but these guys do not get out of here.”
Klaassen and Veltman are contracted to Ajax until the summers of 2016 and 2017, respectively.
Akpom returns to Arsenal
England youth international striker Chuba Akpom has returned to Arsenal following his loan spell with League One outfit Brentford F.C.
Akpom, 18, joined the Bees on loan in January but totaled just four substitute appearances while at Griffin Park.
The 18-year-old was relegated to the bench while former Crewe Alexandra and York City striker Clayton Donaldson and on-loan Fulham forward Marcello Trotta stole the show for the League One leaders.
“It was a pleasure to have Chuba at Brentford for his first loan spell away from his home club,” Bees manager Mark Warburton told the club’s official website, Brentfordfc.co.uk.
“He made an immediate impact both in training and in matches and I hope very much that he returns to Arsenal having benefitted from his experience with us.
“The difficult aspect was that he came to us at a time when the team was performing exceptionally well and as such, it was impossible to make unenforced changes.
“This meant Chuba did not perhaps get as many minutes on the pitch as he might have initially expected.
“I would like to thank everyone at Arsenal – particularly head of youth development Liam Brady – for working with us during Chuba’s loan and everyone at Brentford wishes Chuba all the best for the future.”
Brentford (19-6-4), who are currently two points clear of second-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers (18-7-4), are priced at 1/4 to gain promotion to the Championship next season.
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