Man City outbid Tottenham for Ajax wonderkid Matthijs de Ligt | OneFootball

It looks like Tottenham Hotspur could face stiff competition from Manchester City for the signature of Matthijs de Ligt this summer.

Spurs reportedly had a recent bid of €55m accepted by Ajax for the 18-year-old, who Mauricio Pochettino is understood to have identified as a potential long-term successor to the outgoing Toby Aldeweireld.

But according to Italian journalist Nicolò Schira, City have this weekend gazumped the Lilywhites with a €60m bid of their own, which has also been accepted.

Given the Premier League champions are already well stocked when it comes to central defenders, it’s possible their supposed interest in De Ligt is merely an attempt by the selling club to drive the player’s price up.

Pep Guardiola has previously suggested he will only be in the market for two players this summer – a midfielder and a forward – but De Ligt is the sort of ball-playing defender the Catalan admires, and City won’t want to let such a promising young talent fall into the hands of a rival.

Spurs have a good relationship with Ajax, having previously signed Jan Vertonghen, Christian Eriksen and Davinson Sánchez from the Eredivisie side. It seems, however, that they might not have it all their own way when it comes to negotiating this transfer.

Speaking last month, De Ligt hinted he is likely to leave the Netherlands this summer, and is carefully weighing up his options.

“I am going to make a decision with my head, not based on money offers,” said the Dutch international.

“I think some players would be tempted when they get massive offers. But compared to ordinary people I think I earn a huge wage right now, anyway.

“My next step just has to be right for me when I look at the team and where and how I will live.”