Although Daniel Levy failed to spend a single penny during the 2018 summer transfer window, circumstances at the club should ensure that there is no repeat in 2019. 

Tottenham Hotspur supporters were absolutely perplexed by their club's failure to sign a new player during the summer transfer window, but one blank window is likely to remain an anomaly in the pattern.

Indeed, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Mousa Dembele are all playing under contracts which are due to expire next summer, so the pressing need for strength down the spine of the squad is beginning to gather intensity.

The search for new talent is already underway according to Corriere di Torino (via talkSPORT) as Tottenham are lining up a move for Ajax wonderkid Matthijs de Ligt, although Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus are all interested in securing the services of one of Europe's most promising teenagers.

Evidently, Spurs will have to fend off some of Europe's most prestigious clubs in their pursuit of a player who could become one of the world's best defenders in the years to come and help the club to make a seamless transition into a new era without Vertonghen and Alderweireld.

On the surface that represents a tremendously difficult challenge, but Levy's history in dealing with Ajax could give Spurs a huge advantage over their European rivals.

In recent years Tottenham have welcomed Christian Eriksen, Davinson Sanchez and Vertognhen to the club in multi-million pound transfers from Ajax, so clearly there is a relationship between Levy and the Ajax hierarchy which he could utilise to strike a deal.

And a recent report from Goal suggests that, financially speaking, De Ligt should be within Tottenham's price range. The report claims that the 18-year-old centre-back would cost upwards of £43 million, which only represents £1 million more than the £42 million Spurs paid to sign Sanchez last summer.

Ajax CEO and former Premier League veteran, Edwin van der Sar, recently expressed his utmost admiration for De Ligt in an exclusive interview with Goal.

"Matthijs is very mature for his age: he has the physique of a 24-year-old.

"He is also strong with both feet, has an extremely good range of passing, can head the ball, scores goals and is a real leader at the back already at the age of 18."

With all those attributes already in place, it's fair to label De Ligt as a player who is destined to reach the very top of European football, and there is no doubt that his arrival in north London would represent a gargantuan coup.

The very nature of De Ligt's unique talent and widespread interest from a multitude of footballing giants will naturally force the Lilywhites faithful to doubt their chances of sealing a deal, but Levy's history with Ajax could make all the difference on the negotiating table.

Tottenham Hotspur fans - thoughts? Let us know below!