But Ajax boss De de Boer – Holland’s most-capped outfield player with 112 appearances – has warned his fellow-countryman that playing for a struggling Premier side would not boost his international chances.
Sunderland and Newcastle have been linked with the 23-year-old, but De Boer insisted: “To just leave Celtic who will be playing in the Champions League next season for a team that could be fighting a relegation battle in England isn’t deserving of Van Dijk.
“We have seen time and time again players who play in the Champions League have such a better chance of representing their national team.