Rio de Janeiro: Dutch football giants Ajax have made a bid to sign Brazil under-20 midfielder David Neres, according to media reports.

The Eredivisie club made a formal bid of approximately $ 16 million for the 19-year-old Sao Paulo player on Monday, according to ESPN Brasil, reports Xinhua news agency.

"Initially Sao Paulo treated Neres as non-negotiable but after the latest offer, they haven't ruled out letting him go to help balance their books," the report said, citing sources with knowledge of the negotiations.

Neres has scored three goals from eight matches for Sao Paulo since his first-team debut last year. He has been capped four times for Brazil at under-20 level.

Sao Paulo are also in talks to sell central defender Lyanco to Juventus and forward Luiz Araujo to Lille, the report added.

--IANS