Joel Veltman
Reuters

Arsenal and Tottenham are set to embark on a summer battle for Ajax defender Joel Veltman, according to the Independent.

The Gunners are in the market to replace Thomas Vermaelen, who is set to leave the club in the following transfer window in search of more game time and Arsene Wenger has earmarked the 22-year-old as the man to take Arsenal's legacy forward.

Meanwhile, Tottenham are looking to rebuild their squad in the summer and have identified the defender as a possible replacement for Jan Vertonghen, who has also been linked with a move out of the club.

The former Ajax man was subject to a bidding war between the two north London clubs but Tottenham won the race in the end, something which Chairman Daniel Levy will be hoping for, if they get intertwined in a similar battle.

The youngster has been mightily impressive this season and is likely to be part of the Dutch squad to travel to the world cup after playing a major role in helping Ajax lift their fourth consecutive league title.

Meanwhile, Spurs are well on their way to securing sixth position in the league after losing to West Ham United at Upton Park.

Tottenham are currently six points ahead of Manchester United, who have a game in hand against Hull City, and will make it to sixth with a point in the final match to secure their place in the Europa League.

Manager Tim Sherwood was not too pleased with his team's performance against the Hammers but believes that the red card Younes Kaboul changed the course of the game.

"You can always look at ifs, buts and maybes, the game is full of them. Unfortunately we got a red card, but it was difficult when they then scored soon afterwards," Sherwood told Tottenham's Official Website.

"We had to regroup and get on with it but the second goal killed us. It's an error from the lads, they don't need to be told. Then we had a mountain to climb.

"They sat in deep after the break. We looked better, we received the ball in more advanced areas, had a few half-chances and if we'd have taken one, possibly they might have had an edgy finish," he concluded.

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