Tottenham urged to complete big-money Ajax raid… and it’s not for Matthijs de Ligt

The Netherlands international was one of Ajax’s star players last season and played a pivotal role in the Amsterdam club reaching the Champions League semi-finals.

Van de Beek and his Ajax team-mates were eliminated from the tournament by Tottenham, though the 22-year-old did score in the first leg of the tie.

In recent weeks, Tottenham have been linked with a move for Monaco midfielder Youri Tielemans as a potential replacement for Christian Eriksen, who has yet to sign a new contract with the north Londoners.

Anderton is a fan of both players but believes Spurs would be better served signing Van de Beek, who he believes is a ‘different class’ to the players the club have been linked with recently.

“Tielemans had a good half season at Leicester but Tottenham should look to sign Ajax’s Van de Beek over the Belgian,” Anderton told SportingBet. “He was excellent in both legs against Tottenham and would be a great signing for the club.

“He’s a different class to the other players Tottenham have been linked with and the one I think they need to sign ahead of anyone else.”

Despite their success on the pitch this season, Anderton is adamant Tottenham can’t compete financially with Europe’s elite clubs.

He added: ”Tottenham’s wage structure means that regardless of whether they win the Champions League or not, they won’t be able to sign Europe’s top talent.

“I think that [Toby] Alderweireld is the one player that has already made his decision and he won’t be at the club next season.

“At the end of the day, the very top players are going to want top money and Spurs don’t pay what United, City, Liverpool and Chelsea do.

“There is always going to be an issue with certain players, because whether they admit it or not they are always going to want as much money as they can get, regardless of how ridiculous all the money being thrown around is at the moment.

“If Tottenham do win the Champions League, it would make it more difficult for the likes of Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen to walk out the door, but at the end of the day, money talks.

“Tottenham have an incredible stadium and an incredible manager in Pochettino.

“If you are a player looking in from afar, I would like to think it is a team that most players would love to come be part of and make a difference and help Tottenham challenge consistently.

“Tottenham have everything set up to go and be a top team for the next decade, but if they aren’t able to offer the big money to accompany the stadium and the manager, it’s going to be very difficult to attract the top players and keep hold of their stars.”

Tottenham face their Premier League rivals Liverpool in the Champions League final in Madrid on June 1.

source: express.co.uk