Marco had been engaged in talks with the Amsterdam-based club’s advisory board that includes Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff, and had initially appeared optimistic of reaching an agreement over a football director’s role.

However, Van Basten has now revealed that discussions between the two parties have ended without any productive conclusion being attained.

“I have spoken with Ajax and that in itself was interesting,” he told Sport1. “But there were lots of ifs and buts and ultimately they were not easily resolved, so we said forget it.”

Van Bsten played for the Dutch giants between 1982 and 1987 and was the first team coach in 2008-09.

Gregory van der Wiel

The Netherlands international has been linked with clubs such as Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Juventus and Barcelona, but the right-back seems keen to stay in the Amsterdam ArenA for now rather than move abroad.

“I am feeling very well here and have nothing left to ask for. Why would I want to leave this club? Signing a contract extension is certainly an option for me,” he was quoted as saying on the club’s official website.

“I am focussing on Ajax at the moment and I’m glad that it’s been relatively quiet in regards to transfer rumours. I want to be part of this Ajax squad and play Champions League football again.”

The 23-year-old defender has a contract with Ajax until the summer of 2013.

Ajax

The Netherlands international successfully underwent a medical with the Serie A outfit on Saturday morning and reached an agreement on a deal that will keep him at the club until 2015.

“I am proud that I will sign a four-year deal with Roma. Everything about this club says football. I haven’t had time to visit the stadium yet, but I’m impressed with the training facilities,” Stekelenburg said on the website of Sport-Promotion, the company of his agent Rob Jansen.

“I also spoke with [head coach] Luis Enrique about his plans with the club and that was a very pleasant conversation. He also hopes that the clubs will soon reach an agreement, because this has all been taking too much time already.”

Ajax announced on Friday that they had reached an agreement in principle with Roma about the transfer of the 28-year-old subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions.

Both clubs are expected to finalise the deal within 24 hours with Roma planning to present Stekelenburg to the press on Monday.

Ajax are believed to receive a bid by Spartak worth € 8 million for the 28-year-old midfielder. De Zeeuw’s performance was observed by Spartak when the two teams faced each other in the Europa League last season

With his current age, De Zeeuw also does not want to release the opportunity to play outside the Netherlands.

De Zeeuw joined Ajax from AZ Alkmaar two years ago with De Godenzonen, De Zeeuw had one the Dutch Cup in 2010, and the Eredivisie title last season.

Star attacker Luis Suarez sustained an ankle injury in the dying minutes of his side’s win after a reckless challenge from Milan defender Daniel Bonera and was forced to leave the pitch due to the knock.

Suarez underwent further examination on Thursday morning to clarify the extent of the injury and the Uruguay star was diagnosed with a bruised foot. The tricky attacker won’t be sidelined too long, but he’ll be out of action for several days.

The injury won’t trouble Ajax too much though, as Suarez is currently suspended and was expected to travel to Uruguay for a three-week holiday anyway.

A report on the club’s official website reads that Suarez is expected to return to Amsterdam on January 4 for the restart of the season.

According to Tuttosport, Suarez is said to be an Ajax star player who will join the Rossoneri. But is not clear when the transfer process will be realized.

So far Milan often makes Ajax as a place to find talented players, from Marco van Basten to Klaas Jan Huntelaar.

The Gelsenkirchen side have previously been closely linked with Guillaume Hoarau, but rumours of a transfer have cooled due to Paris Saint-Germain’s transfer fee demands, which are allegedly on the steep side. Still searching for a strike partner for new signing Raul, and a direct replacement for departed striker Kevin Kuranyi, Schalke have allegedly set their sights on Huntelaar.

Since leaving the Eredivisie in 2009, Huntelaar has featured for both Real Madrid and Milan, but had limited success at both clubs. Nonetheless, the 26-year old remains a highly rated forward, having scored 105 goals in 136 appearances for Ajax.

The versatile youngster made his official Ajax debut in December 2008 and has made five Eredivisie appearances so far for the Amsterdam giants. However, he has made few starts this term and therefore requested a loan move.

The two sides have already reached an agreement and Blind will join Groningen with immediate effect.