Ajax boss Frank de Boer has revealed he is considering a move for Inter Milan defender Cristian Chivu should Jan Vertonghen depart the club in January.

GettyImages Cristian Chivu is out of contract at Inter at the end of the season

• Ajax reveal Vertonghen release clause

Chivu, 31, spent four years with Ajax before leaving to join Roma in 2003, and his future at Inter is far from certain with his contract due to expire at the end of the season.

De Boer accepts that Belgium international Jan Vertonghen - who attracted the interest of Manchester City during the summer - may soon move on, and he believes Chivu could be the man to replace him.

"He is certainly a serious option," De Boer told De Telegraaf. "Last summer, we looked at Chivu as a possible replacement for Jan Vertonghen, who was at that time subject to a lot of interest.

"Joris Mathijsen was also in our sights, but he decided to join Malaga. After that our choice was Cristian."

Asked if Ajax would revive their interest in January, he replied: "That again depends on Vertonghen, since I don't think Chivu would be happy to be on the bench.

"He's a plan B - a good alternative with great experience at the highest level and a great professional who has always followed Ajax. We've never forgotten about him."

Tags: De Boer, De Telegraaf, Inter Milan, Jan Vertonghen