Friday, 4th April, 2014
Frank de Boer has revealed that Ajax were interested in Olivier Giroud and Xherdan Shaqiri, but had little chance of taking the pair to Amsterdam once Arsenal and Bayern Munich appeared on the scene.
Giroud moved from French outfit Montpellier to Arsenal in the summer of 2012, while Shaqiri swapped Swiss giants Basel for Bayern Munich that same summer.
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De Boer was asked about Ajax's talent spotting, especially considering a decade ago they plucked Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Maxwell almost from obscurity.
"We're still looking for these boys", he told FOX Sports.
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"But you also have to have a bit of luck", De Boer continued.
"[Board member] Tonny Bruins Slot pointed us towards Olivier Giroud when he played for Montpellier.
"He had also been quick to notice Xherdan Shaqiri.
"But if those guys happen to score often for a few weeks, then you get Arsenal and Bayern Munich at the doorstep.
"Then you have no chance."
Ajax are still coping well despite having not won the race for either Giroud or Shaqiri, currently being on course to win their fourth consecutive Dutch league title.
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