Marc Overmars has turned down the chance to leave Ajax and join Newcastle United as their new sporting director, according to a report.

David Ornstein and The Athletic believe that Ajax director of football and former Gunner Marc Overmars was one of the most prominent candidates for the Newcastle United sporting director job.

Unfortunately for Newcastle, Ornstein reports that Overmars has opted to stay at Ajax, who were desperate to keep him.

A recent report from the Mirror suggested Overmars was in talks with intermediaries over a potential move to Newcastle. Overmars was said to be interested at the time, but Ajax have clearly managed to convince him to stick around.

Voetbal International editor Freek Jansen had urged the Ajax director of football to remain patient. He argued Overmars would be better off staying with Ajax for a while longer, before moving on to Arsenal or Barcelona when the time is right.

Overmars obviously has connections at Arsenal and Barcelona due to his playing days at the two clubs, and if he keeps doing a good job with Ajax then you never know what might happen in the future.

Whether that was in his mind when he made the decision, we may never know. Either way, it looks like the Newcastle move is off.