Joel Veltman is a target for Tottenham as Mauricio Pochettino seeks defensive signings for the new season.

The Ajax player has been on Spurs’ radar for at least 12 months but is high on their list as they push ahead with recruitment plans.

Veltman is an attractive option for Spurs: at 25, he is still relatively young, he can play either at centre-back or right-back, and his contract expires at the end of next season, bringing down a possible transfer fee to about £8million.

Three of Tottenham’s key players spent formative years at Ajax. Jan Vertonghen left Amsterdam for north London in 2012, with Christian Eriksen making the same trip a year later.

Toby Alderweireld joined from Atletico Madrid in 2015, but was at Ajax from 2008-13.

Tottenham have had excellent service from all three and have a strong working relationship with Ajax.

Veltman played for Ajax in their Europa League Final defeat by Manchester United last month. He was also named in the Holland squad for the 2014 World Cup.