Ajax offer goalkeeper new deal

Ajax have offered goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer a new contract which could tie him to the Amsterdam giants until June 2014.

Vermeer’s current deal expires next summer and Ajax have confirmed negotiations have taken place over an extension.

The stopper started last season as third choice, behind Maarten Stekelenburg and Dennis Gentenaar, but during the season became the number one choice of former coach Marco van Basten.

When Van Basten left Ajax, it took a while for contract talks to start, and under new boss Martin Jol, Vermeer looks set to return the bench with Stekelenburg favoured.

Jol told De Telegraaf: “In my entire career I never spoke about a first and second-choice keeper.

“Anything can happen during a season. The best one at the moment plays.”

Vermeer added: “I will eventually accept a role as reserve. With reluctance, but that looks normal to me when you are a professional.

“I would love to play, and if that can’t be at Ajax then at another club.”