The 22-year-old is expected to be sold at the end of the season as his contract expires in 2011 and he made no secret of his desire to leave in the winter transfer window. Chelsea were warned by AZ that they would need to act quickly last summer if they wanted to sign Dembele, while Genoa had an offer turned down and Juventus and AC Milan were said to be monitoring the situation. Ajax are the latest team to be linked with the Belgium international as Martin Jol is bracing himself for the probable sale of Luis Suarez, who has been linked with Sunderland this week. But the Eredivisie side's interest has been knocked at the expense of clubs from abroad after Dembele's representative, Patrick Vervoort, told RTV Noord Holland of possible destinations: "The Dutch league is normally excluded." Ajax are thought to be desperate to secure a replacement for Suarez as interest mounts in the 23-year-old after a dazzling season in which he has already scored 26 Eredivisie goals in 25 games. It has been reported in the North East of England that Sunderland chief scout Ricky Sbragia is set to watch the Uruguayan in Wednesday's international friendly against Switzerland. Suarez signed a one-year contract extension in January, however, the new deal has done little to deter admirers and Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is thought to be keen to partner Suarez with Darren Bent.
