Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is ready to launch a bid for Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt.

The Guardiansays Guardiola is monitoring Ajax's highly rated 18-year-old defender De Ligt as a potential long-term replacement for Vincent Kompany.

De Ligt fits the profile of a young, technically astute defender who could slot into City's playing style.

It is understood that before deciding to firm up his interest in the player, Guardiola will assess how much game time De Ligt may get given he already has Nicolas Otamendi, John Stones, Aymeric Laporte and Kompany as frontline centre-backs.

Ajax are seeking at least €50m to sell De Ligt this summer.