Exclusive: Arsenal And Manchester City Target Gregory van der Wiel Being Watched By 'One Or Two Premier League Clubs' - AgentAjax star Gregory van der

Ajax star Gregory van der Wiel is being watched by 'one or two' Premier League clubs, the player's agent has revealed, fuelling speculation that Arsenal and Manchester City could compete for the right-back's signature this summer.

Big-spending City have made their interest known for the highly-rated Van der Wiel, 22, and have been watching him since last year, Hakim Slimani said today.

Arsenal have also reportedly sent their scouts to Ajax to keep an eye on the skilful defender, who has played his way into Bert van Marwijk’s Netherlands squad.

Van der Wiel's agent Slimani said: "No club has approached me officially in recent weeks to tell me they are watching Gregory since Manchester City a few months ago, but you hear one or two English clubs are keeping an eye on him. That wouldn't be surprising.

"Gregory is enjoying an excellent season and is playing really well. He is determined to win the title with Ajax and is really happy there."

After switching from centre-back to the flank under previous Ajax manager Marco van Basten, his price tag has soared to an estimated £10 million as he has made his reputation as one of the best young defenders in the game.

Top prospect | Van der Wiel has shone at Ajax

Arsenal’s right-back Bacary Sagna was recently linked with a move to Inter Milan, and Van der Wiel would be an ideal replacement. Standing just under six feet tall and with an electric turn of pace, Arsene Wenger’s cultured approach is the perfect fit for the Ajax youth system graduate.

Goal.com UK revealed yesterday that Arsene Wenger is set to be handed a transfer war chest of £45 million this summer to strengthen his injury-ravaged squad, so the Arsenal boss could comfortably afford to raise the £10 million needed to prise him from Ajax.

At City, the right-back spot is up for grabs after Micah Richards’ fall from favour, Nedum Onuoha’s fitness problems and Pablo Zabaleta’s unconvincing case to start. The oil-rich Blues have been linked with an £11 million move for Hamburg’s Jerome Boateng, but the German international right-back has been more comfortable in the centre this campaign.

With reported interest also coming from Italian giants Inter and Juventus in the past, an excellent World Cup could be the springboard for a summer scramble for his signature.

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