Tottenham want Ajax star if they lose key man to Real Madrid

According to The Sunday Express Tottenham are preparing to do battle with the likes of Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain for the services of Dutch international Frenkie de Jong.

The report comes in the light of Real Madrid’s mounting interest in Christian Eriksen, who could come under offer this month with his current deal at Spurs coming to an end next year.

If they are forced to replace the Denmark international the London club have been tipped to return to Eriksen’s old stomping ground, with Ajax youngster De Jong their number one target.

Spurs have contacted the player’s agent to make it clear that they would be willing to match an imminent offer from PSG rumoured to be in the region of £67m.

Any such fee would be enough to smash Tottenham’s transfer record, though with Real Madrid reportedly readying an offer of £100m for Eriksen, the fee would be no issue.

De Jong, 21, operates in a deeper role than the Spurs star he is tipped to replace but has become renowned for his ability to pick an incisive pass and retains possession with consummate ease.

The youngster has scored three times in the Eredivisie this season, completing 92.2 per cent of his passes and earning a WhoScored.com rating of 7.64 to secure a place in the team of the season so far.