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Tottenham have launched an audacious £15million double bid for Ajax stars Christian Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld.

The Spurs move threatens to hijack Liverpool’s interest in the duo. The Reds have been long-time favourites to sign two of Europe’s most gifted young players whose contracts expire next summer.

Both have turned down a string of proposed transfers this summer to wait for the right Premier League club - until now believed to be Liverpool.

But while Liverpool have been distracted by the furore surrounding Luis Suarez, Spurs have made their move.

The White Hart Lane club have already spent £52m on new faces. They want to add Eriksen and Alderweireld before reviewing Gareth Bale’s proposed £85m move to Real Madrid.

Midfielder Eriksen is only 21 but has won 36 Denmark caps. This summer he has rejected offers from Italy, Germany and Russia.

Zenit Saint Petersburg, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, AS Roma and AS Monaco offered either Champions League football or extreme wage packets to the player.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has been raising funds by selling fringe players so may hope to scupper Spurs’ move.

“I am prepared to wait. I will only go where my heart wants to go,’’ Eriksen said, explaining that he is keen to go to a club with stature and history in the Premier League.

“I am patiently waiting what will happen in the next few weeks. But I have said before I only want to go to a club where I feel I can play at my best and which suits my style.’’

“I am ready for something new, I am ready for bigger options. But it has to be right.”

Eriksen will cost £8m. Alderweireld, 24, who is also wanted by Everton, will cost £7m. The Belgium international centre-back has already rejected a move to Norwich City.

Marc Overmars, Ajax’s technical director, has confirmed that his club have agreed a deal for the defender with Spartak Moscow. Again, Alderweireld is refusing to sign.

Spurs have made their move in the last few days. A delegation of scouts travelled last weekend to Amsterdam to watch the Belgium player in his club’s first league game of the season. He was voted man of the match.

Alderweireld’s agent, former Denmark international Soren Lerby, is convinced both players will be sensations in the Premier League.

“Christian is one of the best midfielders and one of the biggest talents in Europe,” said Lerby. “I think in before the transfer window closes we will witness a couple of big transfers.’’