Tottenham eyes Ajax defender Toby Alderweireld

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas is looking to reunite defender Jan Vertonghen with his former Ajax team-mate Toby Alderweireld.

The Belgian pair were instrumental in helping the Amsterdam club to win back-to-back Eredivisie titles and play alongside each other at the back for their national team.

Centre back Alderweireld, 23, is rated among the best young defensive prospects in Europe and is likely to cost Tottenham £8million should they make a move in January.

Villas-Boas is looking to add a centre back to his ranks as he does not see long-term futures at the club for Michael Dawson and William Gallas.

Spurs are likely to face tough competition for Alderweireld however, with up to 15 club across Europe thought to be interested in his services.

Alderweireld would join several other Belgian internationals already plying their trade in the Premier League - including Chelsea's Eden Hazard, Manchester City's Vincent Kompany and Tottenham's pair of Vertonghen and Mousa Dembele.