Tottenham and Liverpool are believed to be among 15 clubs that have shown an interest in signing Ajax defender Toby Alderweireld according to The Metro.

The Premier League duo will face competition from the likes of Atletico Madrid and a host of Italian and Turkish clubs for the highly rated Belgian defender.

Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas has been a long term admirer of the Ajax player and reportedly sought after his signature while at Chelsea last season. Villas-Boas signed Alderweireld’s team mate Jan Vertonghan in the summer and will be hoping his star summer acquisition can help persuade his former defensive partner to move to North London, likewise compatriot Moussa Dembele.

Liverpool are looking to replace Jamie Carragher who is nearing the end of his career and Brendan Rodgers is set for a busy January transfer window with numerous players already lined up for enquiries.

It is reported in The Metro that Ajax may well be ready to accept bids of around £8million for their prized asset in January, but they may well insist the player remains on loan in Amsterdam for the rest of the season.