According to Football London, Spurs are eying up a £50million summer swoop for Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt.

What's the word?

De Ligt has been linked with a whole host of Premier League clubs over the international break, and now Football London claims that Spurs have added their name to the list.

Toby Alderweireld is looking increasingly likely to leave the club this summer, and Mauricio Pochettino has lined up the young Dutchman as his replacement.

De Ligt became the youngest player to ever captain Ajax this season, the 18 year-old has started 28 league games for the Dutch giants.

Arsenal have also been heavily linked with the young centre back.

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Good replacement for Alderweireld?

No fan wants to lose a player like Toby Alderweireld, especially given the severe shortage of top quality centre backs on the market, but Matthijs de Ligt is the closest Spurs could possibly get to a perfect replacement.

18 year-old de Ligt has already earned five caps for the Netherlands, and looked calm and composed when paired with the likes of Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk over the international break.

Valued at £21.8million by Transfermarkt, de Ligt has three league goals and an assist this term, but has really wowed spectators with his defensive capabilities. The young centre back averages one tackle, 1.8 interceptions and 4.4 clearances per game, as well as boasting an 89.2% pass success rate.

De Ligt has played in a back three and a back four this season, making him a perfect fit for Tottenham. Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez could continue as part of a back four while the young defender adjusts to his surroundings, and Pochettino’s versatility and flexibility would certainly find the right fit for the young defender.

On top of all this, it would be a great opportunity for Spurs to get one over on their North London rivals, who also fancy the 18 year-old.

Spurs fans, should de Ligt replace Alderweireld? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…