Ajax technical director Leo Beenhakker has expressed his admiration for star defender Cristian Chivu before admitting he may have to be sold to balance the books.
Chivu is a reported target of European Champions Real Madrid and Beenhakker, a former coach at the Bernabeu, concedes that the 21-year-old Romanian international may go if the price is right.
"If Real come in with a concrete offer and are willing to pay the price we will talk about a transfer. But also if the bid is a bit lower we can talk. Many clubs, not just Ajax, need the money."
Beenhakker is hopeful though that Chivu, rated by the Amsterdammers in the 20million euro bracket (£13m), will stay in Holland.
"Cris is a complete player. He has everything, he's physically strong, can play one on one, he is fast, strong in the build up and has a very good shot. And above that he is still young," he told Spanish paper AS.
"I can't remember any central defender who was so experienced at just 21. Off the field, he is just as professional. In that aspect I would give him an A+."
Chivu is a reported target of European Champions Real Madrid and Beenhakker, a former coach at the Bernabeu, concedes that the 21-year-old Romanian international may go if the price is right.
"If Real come in with a concrete offer and are willing to pay the price we will talk about a transfer. But also if the bid is a bit lower we can talk. Many clubs, not just Ajax, need the money."
Beenhakker is hopeful though that Chivu, rated by the Amsterdammers in the 20million euro bracket (£13m), will stay in Holland.
"Cris is a complete player. He has everything, he's physically strong, can play one on one, he is fast, strong in the build up and has a very good shot. And above that he is still young," he told Spanish paper AS.
"I can't remember any central defender who was so experienced at just 21. Off the field, he is just as professional. In that aspect I would give him an A+."
