Report: Chivu poised for Real move

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -- Romania defender Cristian Chivu is almost certain to leave Ajax Amsterdam for Real Madrid after this season, a Dutch newspaper reported Saturday.

De Telegraaf said Ajax (AJAX.AS) director Arie van Eijden had announced Chivu's departure at a shareholders' meeting, and that Real Madrid was the most likely destination for the 22-year-old.

According to Dutch evening newspaper Het Parool, Van Eijden denied talks were already under way between Ajax and Real Madrid but said Chivu's departure was just a matter of time.

"That's a fact of life. And for the development of the player in question, it's healthy too," Het Parool quoted Van Eijden as saying.

Ajax spokesman Jacob Bergsma declined comment. "We never react to rumors in the newspapers," he said.

Earlier this year Chivu rejected a lucrative offer from Real Madrid and said he was happy to stay at Ajax for at least another year.

De Telegraaf said Ajax were eyeing Dutchman Frank de Boer, currently at Barcelona, as Chivu's successor.

 

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