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Tottenham turn to Ajax to round out attack

By Rucker Haringey

(L-R) Bas Kuipers of Excelsior, Anwar El Ghazi of Ajax during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax Amsterdam and Excelsior Rotterdam at the Amsterdam Arena on February 21, 2016 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
(L-R) Bas Kuipers of Excelsior, Anwar El Ghazi of Ajax during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax Amsterdam and Excelsior Rotterdam at the Amsterdam Arena on February 21, 2016 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images) /
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Spurs are set to return to Ajax for another crucial transfer purchase

Tottenham are set to return to a familiar source of high-end transfer talent this summer. Manager Mauricio Pochettino has set his sights on Ajax wide man Anwar El Ghazi for a summer transfer swoop.

The Sunday Times reports that Spurs are set to tangle with AC Milan for the services of the talented Eredivisie starlet. It’s believed that he could be available for the relatively modest sum of 12 million pounds despite having three years left on his current Ajax deal.

Of course this wouldn’t be the first time Tottenham have turned to the Dutch giants to bolster the squad. The club purchased Jan Vertonghen and Christian Eriksen directly from Ajax and Toby Alderweireld also spent considerable time at the club. That familiarity will likely give Daniel Levy an edge in working to secure the player’s signature.

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Acquiring El Ghazi would allow Tottenham to fill one of their biggest transfer needs for a relatively modest fee. The latter is particularly important due to the upcoming cost of Tottenham’s new stadium.

On the pitch, El Ghazi could come into Pochettino’s lineup to play in the midfield three alongside Eriksen and Dele Alli. Filling the right-sided attacking spot has been a bit of a challenge for Pochettino this year. Erik Lamela has typically been the Argentine manager’s first choice, but his lack of end product has been a bit frustrating for many Tottenham supporters.

El Ghazi would provide Tottenham with a very different option on the right in either a starting or reserve role. He’s contributed an impressive 11 goals in 23 Eredivisie appearances for Ajax this season and is renowned for his quality in the final third. In many ways, he would be the perfect platoon for Lamela.

Expect for quite a few rumors like El Ghazi to pop up regarding Tottenham’s transfer plans in the coming weeks and months. The pressure of Champions League football next season will require the club to bolster its ranks with additional quality.

Even with the success Spurs have experienced this season, it’s unlikely that Levy and company will want to get into a bidding war with the Premier League’s richest clubs. That will place a premium on picking off high-end talent from some of the world’s less expensive leagues.

Related Story: Tottenham's projected 2016/17 starting 11

Signing El Ghazi would be quite the coup for Tottenham. He’s a perfect fit in terms of both position and style for what the club need. Time will tell if Levy and company will move quickly enough to bring this prodigious talent to White Hart Lane this summer.

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