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Photo by VI Images via Getty Images
Photo by VI Images via Getty Images

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Tottenham Hotspur’s £45 million transfer target Frenkie De Jong cost just €1 in 2015

Mathew Nash
Mathew Nash

Tottenham Hotspur have identified Dutch midfielder Frenkie De Jong as a long-term transfer target. The Ajax midfielder, who is also a target for Barcelona, is considered a perfect replacement for Mousa Dembele in the middle of the park.

that Tottenham had offered Ajax £45 million to sign the player in January. That deal has been rejected, with the Dutch side unlikely to sell a key player mid-season.

£45 million is certainly a massive amount for the player. However, Tottenham will hope he can be as big a success as other Ajax recruits Christian Eriksen, Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez in North London.

(L-R), Sheraldo Becker of PEC Zwolle, Frenkie de Jong of Willem II during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Willem II Tilburg and PEC Zwolle at Koning Willem II stadium on October 3, 2015 in Tilburg, The Netherlands(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)

However, if Tottenham’s scouts had known about him in 2015, he would have been a lot cheaper.

That summer he left Willem II for Ajax. Ajax paid their domestic rivals just €1 for the player.

The fee was considered a mere token, rather than an assessment of his talent. Willem II negotiated a return to the club on loan and a 10 per cent sell-on clause which, they will hope can eventually pay them back for his development.

But Daniel Levy and Tottenham will no doubt wish he was now being valued at a lot less than his current asking price.