TBR View: Kristoffer Ajer is not the next Virgil van Dijk and Tottenham Hotspur need to look elsewhere

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Tottenham Hotspur are one of a number of clubs being linked with a move for Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer. 

Norwegian outlet Sporten is reporting that Tottenham are ready to reignite their interest in the 21-year-old centre-back after his agent confirmed a summer exit from Glasgow was likely.

The report also suggests that Ajer would be valued at around €30 million (£26.7m).

Of course, the immediate comparison many are making here is to Liverpool’s centre-back colossus Virgil van Dijk. He thrived at Parkhead before joining Southampton in 2015. His impressive performances on the South Coast eventually earned him a £75 million (Telegraph) move to Anfield where he is now widely regarded as the best defender in the world. 

It seems plenty of teams might be hoping that Ajer could be the second coming of VVD and that at £26.7 million, compared to £75 million, he might be a bargain. 

But that would be a trap Tottenham would be better off avoiding. 

Ajer is a very competent footballer and a top talent. But to suggest he is at the level van Dijk was at the same age would be wrong. 

He does not possess the same speed, composure or physical prominence of the Dutchman. Technically, he is very gifted on the ball but in all honesty, it is hard to see how Ajer would be an improvement on the likes of Davison Sanchez, Toby Alderweireld or even Juan Foyth at Spurs. 

Ajer is undoubtedly good enough to play in the Premier League but the next Van Dijk he is not. Tottenham need far superior recruitment if they are to get back among the elite next season. They must not fall into the trap of thinking the Norwegian is the next VVD.