BARCELONA, MANCHESTER CITY and Bayern Munich have been advised to not waste their time lodging bids for Ajax starlets Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt and Donny van de Beek.

According to Goal, 21-year-old midfielder De Jong has emerged as a top target for those at Camp Nou.

He is considered to be a useful addition for the present and future, with Barca seeking a natural successor to departed icon Andres Iniesta.

De Ligt, meanwhile, has been attracting interest from La Liga, Premier League and Bundesliga champions, with Barca, City and Bayern eager to buy into the 18-year-old defender’s potential.

Ajax, though, have no intention of parting with any prized assets and have informed a long list of suitors that “insane” offers will not see them relax that stance.

The Eredivisie club’s sporting director, Marc Overmars, told De Telegraaf: “Frenkie de Jong, Donny van de Beek and Matthijs de Ligt are not for sale as far as we are concerned.

“Not even for an insane amount. They should play about 40 games for Ajax first in 2018-19.”

Overmars added: “De Jong to Barcelona? He is not for sale. And I have communicated this to all parties involved. It’s the same for Matthijs.

“Clubs that are interested are free to come back next year.

Of course, Davinson Sanchez’s move last year showed that it is not always easy to stand firm. But we have now reached a point where we simply say that we are not selling these players.

“They are still only 19, 20 years old. I have told these players and their agents that a transfer after this season could be an option if the right offer comes in.”

It appears as though Barca, City and Bayern will have to turn their attention elsewhere if they wish to make additions with one eye on the future this summer.

The door may, however, be opened to them in 12 months’ time if they are prepared to be patient and give developing talents another year to flourish in their homeland.

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!