Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong will not leave Ajax in January, insists chief executive Edwin van der Sar

Manchester City and Barcelona are among the elite clubs to be linked with two of Europe's brightest young stars

Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong will not be leaving Ajax in the January transfer window, the club’s chief executive Edwin van der Sar has insisted.

Ajax qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League for the first time since 2006 thanks in large part to the excellent performances of De Ligt – who was named the European Golden Boy on Monday – in defence and De Jong in midfield.

Both players have been heavily linked with joining bigger European clubs in the New Year, but former Manchester United and Netherlands goalkeeper Van der Sar is adamant that Ajax will not compromise their chances of success in the Eredivisie and Champions League.

Asked if there is any chance that De Ligt or De Jong could be allowed to leave in January, Van der Sar told ESPN FC: “No, no, no. That's a no.

“We're not going to sell a player halfway through the season. No way. If you have financial difficulties you might look at it, but for us no.”

Ajax currently sit second in the Eredivisie, two points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven after 16 matches, as they chase their first domestic league title since 2014.

They now also have a glamour tie against Real Madrid to look forward to in the Champions League round of 16 in February, and Van der Sar is adamant that his club has far too much to play for to allow key contributors to depart during the season.

“We've qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League,” Van der Sar added. “Of course you want to go as along as possible in the tournament. We want to be champions this year. We have to keep improving and keep the pressure on PSV.

“We've had a good season until this moment, but it says a lot that they are still ahead of us, so that says a lot about PSV. We want to win the cup, also. You want to win as many prizes as possible.”

De Ligt, 19, has established himself as one of the brightest young centre-backs in Europe since making his senior debut for Ajax in August 2016, while Manchester City have been heavily linked with a move for the 21-year-old De Jong as Fernandinho’s long-term successor.