Pep Guardiola is monitoring Ajax’s highly rated 18-year-old defender Matthijs de Ligt as a potential long-term replacement for Vincent Kompany.

De Ligt fits the profile of a young, technically astute defender who could slot into City’s playing style. The centre-back is experienced at the highest level, having started last May’s Europa League final defeat by Manchester United in Stockholm. De Ligt also played the whole of Netherland’s 1-0 defeat by England in Amsterdam in March and, in total, has made 34 appearances in all competitions this season. That follows last year’s debut campaign that featured 22 games, including an international debut in a World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria.

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It is understood that before deciding to firm up his interest in the player, Guardiola will assess how much game time De Ligt may get given he already has Nicolas Otamendi, John Stones, Aymeric Laporte and Kompany as frontline centre-backs.

Despite a strong finish to the season, Kompany managed to play in only eight of City’s final 14 games due to the fragility of his physique and he remains an ongoing injury concern for Guardiola. The captain is also entering the final year of his contract and, while he may be considered for an extension, there are no guarantees.

Speaking about Kompany’s future earlier this week, Khaldoon al-Mubarak, City’s chairman, said: “I know how hard it’s been for him physically but also mentally. But he’s a leader with an unbelievable personality to handle these challenges. The way he’s come back, the last two months of the season, he’s been arguably the best defender in the world.”