Ajax rule out De Ligt and De Jong exits to Manchester City in January

Ajax sporting director Marc Overmars has warned the likes of Manchester City and Barcelona that Matthijs de Ligt and Frankie de Jong will not be sold in January.

De Ligt and De Jong have emerged as two of the best prospects in Europe over the last 18 months and has been heavily linked with high profile moves to a number of top European clubs.

Pep Guardiola wants to further reinforce his squad in the January transfer window and is expected to battle Barcelona for the Ajax pair.

City missed out on a new central midfielder in the summer after watching Fred join Manchester United and Jorginho move to Chelsea.

Guardiola is keen to wrap up a long-term replacement for Fernandinho in January but may not have the chance to work with De Jong right away.

“I think everyone knows our stance,” Overmans told Fox Sport, via Football Italia. “That is not to make sales in the winter. There’s no chance, no matter what amount anyone offers.”

Only 20-year-old AZ Alkmaar midfielder Teun Koopmeiners (76.1) averages more passes per Eredivisie match than De Jong (75.9) this season.

Furthermore, only Feyenoord defender Jan-Arie van der Heijden (93%) has a better pass success rate than the 21-year-old (92.3%).