Spurs have long been linked with a move for Ajax sensation Matthijs de Ligt.
Mauricio Pochettino’s long pursuit of Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt is seemingly coming to fruition, with Football London claiming that Tottenham will not make a move for the 18-year-old – despite speculative reports of an offer.
Indeed, TuttoMercatoWeb recently claimed that Spurs had made a £48million offer for the five-time Holland international, but it is now believed that Spurs are not interested in the Ajax academy product.
Spurs are still likely to be after a new defender this summer instead of de Ligt, with Pochettino expected to continue to place his faith in youth and find a replacement for the outgoing Toby Alderweireld.
Pochettino is likely to be scouring European football and perhaps even broader for his next defensive signing, but he should consider a move that would see Spurs raid one of their closest rivals.
West Ham United defender Declan Rice’s future is in doubt at the London Stadium after the Ireland international rejected a ‘derisory’ pay rise of just £5,000 a week, taking his pay cheque from £3,000 to just £8,000.
That is according to the Daily Mail, who also claim West Ham now face a fight to keep the 19-year-old star. Rice made 32 appearances for the Hammers last season, out-performing many who were on much bigger contracts.
For a player of Rice’s potential and immediate quality, £8,000 a week is an insulting offer and one that could tempt Rice to look elsewhere with only a year remaining on his contract.
It should convince Pochettino to consider a move for the West Ham star, putting Tottenham and West Ham rivalry aside to land the versatile defender this summer.
Proven in the Premier League, young, tenacious and perhaps available for a much smaller fee than de Ligt because of his contract situation, Rice would surely be Pochettino’s best option when it comes to finding an alternative to de Ligt.
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