Ajax confirm Chivu interest

Christian Chivu: Could return to Ajax from Inter Milan next month

Inter Milan defender Cristian Chivu could return to former club Ajax in the January transfer window, according to manager Frank de Boer.

The Romanian, who played in Amsterdam between 1999 and 2003, is out of contract at the San Siro in the summer.

Ajax are anticipating the departure of reported Tottenham and Arsenal target Jan Vertonghen in next month's transfer window, while sought-after full-back Gregory van der Wiel is not certain to stay.

And De Boer says 31-year-old Chivu is in the frame to provide cover to the Eredivisie club's backline.

"Chivu is definitely an option in January (should Vertonghen) depart," De Boer told Voetbal Primeur.

"We must wait and see whether it is feasible but Cristian has always been very interested in Ajax."

Interest

Chivu has been linked with a switch to the Primera Liga with Real Madrid but De Boer believes the defender could spurn a move and return to Amsterdam.

"When he was linked with Real it seemed that he was going," he added. "But should the situation arise that he chooses us we will certainly not waste it."

Ajax midfielder Theo Janssen admits he would not be surprised if Vertonghen moved on from the club in the near future.

"I hope he stays here," he told NUSport. "But I can imagine that after this season he will be going to do something else.

"He is a player who can play at a much higher level."