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Tottenham have stolen a march on North London rivals Arsenal in the race to sign Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen, according to reports.

Arsene Wenger had set his sights on making the versatile defender is next signing after completing a deal for Germany striker Lukas Podolski.

The 25-year-old will leave the Dutch club in the summer and could be available for a cut-price fee of £7million, attracting interest from clubs including Newcastle and Chelsea.

However, according to reports in the Netherlands, Harry Redknapp is attempting to complete a deal ahead of his rivals - providing Tottenham can offer Champions League football next season.

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'Jan has some dream clubs, which are special for him,' the player's agent Mustapha Nakhli told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

'Playing football in the top of the Premier League is something he has always hoped for.'

With Tottenham and Arsenal competing for third place in the league and automatic qualification for the Champions League - the team that wins the race could also prove the destination for the Dutchman.

