De Ligt to Spurs: Everything that has been said about Toby Alderweireld's potential replacement
It promises to be a busy week in north London
Rob GuestTottenham Hotspur Writer
17:30, 7 AUG 2018
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The transfer deadline is edging ever closer and Spurs have yet to bring any new players to north London.
Linked with the likes of Anthony Martial, Jack Grealish and Wilfried Zaha over the past few months, there's the real possibility that Mauricio Pochettino may have no new arrivals at his disposal for Saturday's game at Newcastle United.
Given Man City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal have all added to their squad so far this summer, no new signings at Spurs will not go down well at all with the club's fans.
However, the final week of the transfer window is upon us and there could well be a couple of surprises in store.
Amid reports that the Red Devils have made a 'breakthrough' in their pursuit of Toby Alderweireld, Spurs would need to bring in a defender to cover for the Belgian international.
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Although the Lilywhites are believed to be eyeing homegrown talent this window due to the fact they have 20 non-locally trained players at present, a move for long-term target Matthijs De Ligt could come to fruition if Alderweireld ends his stay in the capital.
Here we take a look at what has been said about the young Ajax defender and a potential move to Spurs.
Spurs eye up summer deal
Our Spurs reporter Alasdair Gold exclusively revealed back in April that Spurs were lining up a potential £50million move for the Dutch international.
Linked with a move to Barcelona and Arsenal previously, football.london reported that the Lilywhites were in fact planning an early move in the summer transfer window to fend off competition from other interested clubs.
Having signed Davinson Sanchez from the Dutch giants last August, as well as Christian Eriksen, Jan Vertonghen and Alderweireld previously, it was believed that the relationship between the two clubs could potentially see De Ligt head to the capital.
Matthijs de Ligt featured in the 2017 Europa League final (Image: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
A potential long-term replacement for Alderweireld given his contract situation with the Lilywhites, we also reported that Spurs were looking at Alfie Mawson, who has since joined Fulham.
The view from Holland
De Ligt has made quite a name for himself in his home country since making the step from the club's academy to the first team.
Here's what a couple of former Ajax players have said about the defender.
Johnny Heitinga
"What I especially like about Matthijs is that he is so strong mentally, the notorious debut against Bulgaria was only a year ago, if you can get something positive from something like that, ultimate learning moments, then it's okay.
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"He did not let himself be fooled by anything or anyone after the red card at Morocco and he continued his passion in what he is good at: defending, in fact, in a year he has become a man of a boy and an even better and become a more complete defender.
"Matthijs is an exemplary pro, working every second of the day to develop, so it's a pleasure to offer him things - you do not have to be a master predictor to say that he has a nice football future ahead of him." (Ajax Netwerk)
"He is a class player who can reach the top, but also has to improve a number of things.
"Matthijs wants to win every game and that is basically a good feature, but if you step in too badly, it could lead to a penalty.
"Matthijs is getting a little calmer, he can better judge what situation it takes to let the opponent take the ball or just pop in.
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"That's okay, because he is eager to learn and coachable, he is open to advice. " (Ajax Netwerk)
De Ligt's agent issues update on player's future
Amid a number of clubs monitoring the Dutch international, Barry Hulshoff, the player's agent, was asked about interest from Barcelona in the defender.
"The intention is to stay at Ajax at least until summer," Hulshoff told Ziggo Sport, as reported by Goal.
"He signed a new contract in Amsterdam in August 2017. He is fixed until the summer of 2021."
Ajax line up De Ligt replacement
With reports suggesting that Ajax were on the verge of losing another one of their talented academy graduates in the summer, it was claimed in Holland that the Eredivisie side were already looking at Boca Juniors' Lisandro Magallan to strengthen their defence.
Ajax have been linked with Boca defender Magallan
After claims back in April from Telesport that head scout Henk Veldmate was keeping tabs on Magallan, Dutch publication De Telegraaf (via Sport Witness), suggested that the highly-rated defender was set to board a plane to Amsterdam to complete his move.
Despite talk of the defender moving to Ajax, Magallan remains a Boca player.
De Ligt on his future
Later in April it was reported that Man City had entered the race for De Ligt and were in fact at the front of the queue for his signature.
After reportedly telling his agent he didn't want to move to Barcelona as he felt he would be left on the substitutes' bench, the Mirror wrote that City, Arsenal and Bayern Munich were all battling for his signature.
However, amid talk of a summer move, the 18-year-old claimed he would not move to whichever club offered the most money.
De Ligt said: "I am going to make a decision with my head, not based on money offers.
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"I think some players would be tempted when they get massive offers. But compared to ordinary people I think I earn a huge wage right now, anyway.
"My next step just has to be right for me when I look at the team and where and how I will live."
Defender responds to Spurs' reported interest
De Ligt spoke about his future later in the month following talk of a switch to north London.
Unfortunately for Spurs fans, the defender played down reports of a move to the Lilywhites.
"I do not know anything about it. And my agent does not know anything about it," the defender told FOX Sports.
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Transfer update
It was reported in Italy in May that Spurs had seen a £48million bid for De Ligt accepted.
However, Pochettino's side now had to submit a new bid as Man City had come in with an offer of £52.5million and seen that accepted.
Amid the reports from Italy, football.london found out that the club had not yet made a move for the highly-rated player.
De Ligt laughs off rumours of a move
With reports doing the rounds in May that the player had made it clear that he wanted to leave Ajax in the summer, De Ligt, speaking in a blog on Ajax.nl, stated that he doesn't pay attention to rumours about his future.
"I hardly read any more messages that have to do with transfers," he said. "Only occasionally do I do that and some messages are really laughable.
"I sometimes find it nice to see what is written about football players. I do not take it too seriously.
Matthijs de Ligt during a training session for Ajax (Image: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
"Everyone knows what is going on in the dressing room, but there is not much talk about it.
"It therefore lives more outside the team than inside.
"The sheets must be filled and that is why a lot is written. But my experience is that what is published is not always based on truth.
"I think that is a problem in football, it is thought too quickly that something is true.
"That's how I used to be.
"I also read sometimes that a certain player would go to Ajax. That's what I believed.
"Now that I am so close I know better."
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Juventus interest
Having attracted the attention of some of Europe's biggest clubs, Sky Sport Italia reported that Juventus had joined the race for De Ligt.
The Bianconeri were believed to be in attendance to watch the player represent his country against Italy in Turin and liked what they saw.
It was also reported that the player was given a tour of the training ground with the Italian giants keen to find out about a possible future transfer.
De Ligt speaks out on transfer links
Quizzed on his future ahead of the new season, De Ligt admitted that he was unsure about what would be happening.
"It's difficult to answer, at the moment I'm an Ajax player. But I can say that I don't have a favourite club," De Ligt responded when asked by Goal which of Europe's top teams he prefers.
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"Ready for a different experience? Maybe, yes. I don't know. I like to play at high levels. Ajax are a big team, now the season is over, I'm on vacation and I can think about my future."
On talk of a move to Juventus, he added: "Honestly I don't know, at the moment I'm focused on the national team.
"Sure, it's a great honor to be linked to such a big team but now I'm just thinking about playing well."
Spurs not looking at making a move
Following talk that the Lilywhites would be launching a summer move for De Ligt, football.londonreported that the club were now not looking at making a formal move for the player in the summer.
Despite the doubts over Alderweireld's long-term future with the club, it was believed that the Lilywhites were not looking De Ligt as a potential replacement for the Belgian.
Jamaal Lascelles (Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
With Spurs looking elsewhere for a new centre-back, our Spurs reporter Alasdair Gold suggested that Newcastle United's Jamaal Lascelles was one player that was attracting interest from the club.
De Ligt refuses to pledge future to Ajax
With Spurs now looking elsewhere for a new centre-back, De Ligt spoke up about his future.
"It's always nice when a club fights for you," he told NOS.
"As long as that clarity is not there yet, I will not say anything that might bring clarity, but at the moment there is nothing really concrete about it. I'm training at Ajax and I'm going to do my best."
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Ajax give transfer update
Ajax director of football Marc Overmars made it clear last month that De Ligt, as well as the club's promising youngsters, would not be going anywhere in the summer.
He said: "Frenkie de Jong, Donny van de Beek and Matthijs de Ligt are not for sale as far as we are concerned. No, not even for absurd amounts. Let them play 40 matches for Ajax this season.
"Come back next year. We are now at a point where we say 'boys, we do not sell'."
"This week many things can happen"
Speaking on the club's US pre-season tour, Pochettino was quizzed about the club's transfer business.
Although no players have yet to come through the door at the club's new stadium, the Argentine gave the fans hope that the club could complete deals before the deadline.
"We are working so hard but still we are like we were on the first day of the transfer window, with no signings," he said.
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On how that situation has been allowed to happen, Pochettino was not offering up any reasons: "I think I am not the person to explain this. Of course people expect a manager to explain it.
"But in this situation for different reasons it has been difficult to add players who can help us. But you know in the last week many things can happen."
Manchester United make Alderweireld 'breakthrough'
According to the Mirror, Manchester United have finally made a 'breakthrough' in their attempts to sign Alderweireld from the Lilywhites.
Not keen to meet the club's £75million valuation of the player given he is out of contract at the end of the season, it is now believed that the Red Devils could confirm him as a United player in the next 48 hours.
Could this now open the door for Spurs to resurrect their interest in De Ligt?
It promises to be a very interesting few days in N17.
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