Tottenham lead Chelsea in chase for £12m Dutch teen playmaker

Tottenham, Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle are set to battle it out to sign Dutch teenage star Adam Maher, but they face competition from a number of Europe's top clubs.

Maher was crowned Holland's young player of the year last year after his breakthrough season at AZ Alkmaar. And his strong start to this season this term has led to interest from abroad - not least the Premier League.

AZ currently find themselves in 12th in the Eredivisie, and the Sunday People report claims Maher could be allowed to leave the club in January if the price is right.

Barcelona and AC Milan are tracking the 19-year-old, but Maher is thought to favour a move to the Premier League.

Manchester City, Newcastle, Tottenham and Chelsea lead the chase for the youngster, and any decision could come down to a straight choice - first-team football now, or the chance to compete for the Premier League and Champions League. Roberto Mancini's side have scouted the midfielder regularly, who is rated at £12m.

The Premier League champions have claimed in the past that they are prepared to invest in youth, and recently announced plans to develop a £200m Manchester City campus at the Etihad Stadium.

But Chelsea and Tottenham are equally keen to bring Maher to the Premier League, setting up a possible transfer window showdown in January.

The report claims AZ would be willing to listen to bids in the region of £12m, although the sheer interest in Maher could drive his price higher.