http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jan-Vertonghen-c17814 is expected to leave the reigning Eredivisie champions this summer and the Dutch trainer sees the Brazilian-born centre-back as a perfect replacement.
Ajax Amsterdam head coach, Frank de Boer, has admitted that his side is interested in signing http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Douglas-c11600 in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The Amsterdam giants are in the market for a central defender, owing to the expected departure of Jan Vertonghen at the end of the ongoing 2011/12 campaign.
The 24-year-old, who has been plying his trade at Amsterdam Arena since the summer of 2006, has been closely monitored by a host of elite European clubs.
AC Milan, Newcastle United, Manchester United and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 are all interested in acquiring his signature before the start of the 2012/13 campaign.
Furthermore, the Belgian stopper has also expressed his desire to take the next step in his career.
With the 24-year-old’s intentions clear, the Amsterdammers are in search of a central defender and they see Douglas as the perfect replacement.
De Boer has admitted that the reports linking his side with the Brazilian-born Dutch stopper are true.
“It is correct that we are keeping tabs on Douglas as a potential replacement for Vertonghen”, the Dutch mentor was quoted as saying to NOS.
He then went on to praise the central defender’s abilities and admitted that the 24-year-old is without a doubt one of the best defenders playing in the Dutch top tier.
“He is one of the best defenders around in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Netherlands-c753. He is a real killer at the back and a classic defender”, De Boer concluded.
The 24-year-old arrived at De Grolsch Veste in the summer of 2007 after making a mere two appearances for Joinville. Since making his debut on December 22, 2007, the commanding stopper has made 115 appearances for the Tukkers. He also managed to add his
name to the score-sheet on nine occasions.
Douglas has an expiring contract at FC Twente that runs until the end of the ongoing 2011/12 campaign. However, the Tukkers have an option to prolong his stay at De Grolsch Veste for another year.
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