Could Tottenham have Matthijs de Ligt taken from under their nose by Manchester City?

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Manchester City are ready to launch a £50 million bid for talented youngster Matthijs de Ligt, according to the Daily Mail, despite the 18-year-old being the primary replacement target for Spurs defender Toby Alderweireld.

The Sun reported Spurs’ initial interest in the Dutch youngster, who started alongside current Tottenham defender Davison Sanchez for Ajax in the 2017 Europa League final against Manchester United last season.

The link with Sanchez and his undeniable potential at such a young age made him the perfect replacement for Alderweireld, who has been linked with a summer exit due to an ongoing contract dispute.

However, the Mail has now claimed that it is Manchester City who are the front-runners to sign the youngest ever captain of Ajax as they believe he could be the potential long-term replacement for current Citizens captain Vincent Kompany.

With the current Premier League champions throwing their name into the ring for one of the world’s best young defenders it could be the knockout blow to Spurs in solving their own potential defensive problems this summer.

The teenager is contracted to Ajax until 2021 and they are likely to demand a hefty fee for his services, but City are confident they can tempt him away from the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Arsenal, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are also said to be interested in the young defender but in terms of a bidding war, Pep Guardiola and City are expected to blow everyone out of the water for the youngster.