Former Barcelona and Ajax coach Henk ten Cate isn't surprised by Barca's interest in Dutch pair Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt.

Ten Cate knows the two Ajax youngsters very well.

He told Mundo Deportivo: "They are two players with a lot of talent, even if the talent does not decide anything. They have talent and a good mind, which is very important.

"The logic is that they stay at Ajax this season and I believe this is the best decision for their career.

"Barça an ideal club for them? I do not know. At their age, they have to play every week and the opportunities to play at Barça are not so great. When someone arrives at Barça, he must be ready. My opinion is that Barça will recruit them and loan them to another club so that they have experience at the highest level.

"They are players with many qualities, but to grow, they must play, not be on the bench."