Tottenham may have to loan defensive sensation Mattthijs De Ligt back to Ajax for a season if they want to secure his signing this summer, according to journalist Paul Brown.
The freelance writer, who is regularly featured in the Sunday Express and Daily Star, revealed the stunning terms of the potential deal on his personal Twitter account, with Spurs possibly being forced to be without the 18-year-old for a year despite signing him.
De Ligt update – #thfc may have to loan him back to #ajax for a year if they want to sign him this summer. #mufc have also looked at him but he's not a priority for them https://t.co/jWq2W5rKcD
— Paul Brown (@pbsportswriter) June 6, 2018
The 6’1″ (source: Transfermarkt) teenager has been heavily linked with a move to north London to replace Toby Alderweireld ahead of the Belgian’s likely departure and his arrival at Spurs would see him link up with former central defensive partner Davinson Sanchez, the Colombian making the same move from the Netherlands to Tottenham last summer.
Opinion
It seems as though Ajax are not prepared to part with their top young talent but at least they recognise it is only a matter of time before he departs for pastures new. The Dutch giants are famous for their youth development and when you look at the names that have come through the system you can see why, and De Ligt is the latest of a never ending cycle of prodigal talents. Spurs must now take the gamble – splash out this summer and have him on their books in a year’s time, or hold off signing him and potentially miss out, or be forced to pay significantly more, in 12 months. There could be a lot more interest in his capture if he continues to develop the way he has, becoming a brilliant centre back for both club and country, and Spurs could topple from pole position to among the chasing pack if they do not act now.