Host of clubs chase Heitinga

Several Italian sides are interested in signing Ajax's central defender John Heitinga. The Dutch international has attracted attention from Napoli, Fiorentina, Palermo, Milan, Juventus, Genoa and Sampdoria.

Heitinga has played over 100 times for Ajax and is considered one of the best young defenders in Europe.

A member of the World Cup 2006 squad, Heitinga has 27 caps to his name and has been named "the new Jaap Stam" by several Dutch pundits.