Teenager Luke Littler will become world number one for the first time if he wins the European Championship, which starts on Thursday.

The 18-year-old has been on the professional tour for less than two years but is looking to replace Luke Humphries as the top-ranked player.

Littler, currently number two in the rankings, has stated his ambition to claim the top spot before beginning his PDC World Championship title defence at Alexandra Palace in December.

Victory at the European Championship in Germany, which concludes on Sunday, would make him the youngest PDC world number one, surpassing Michael van Gerwen who achieved the feat aged 24 in 2014.

Depending on results, Littler could also overtake fellow Englishman Humphries if he does not win the title in Dortmund, but progresses further than his rival.

Humphries, the 2024 world champion, would extend his lead – which currently stands at £52,500 – if he takes the £120,000 first prize.

The rankings are based on prize money earned over a two-year period, with Littler winning seven major titles and earning nearly £1.7m.

Littler closed the gap on Humphries when he won the World Grand Prix earlier this month, saying afterwards: “Obviously, until I get that world number one spot, I will never call myself the best in the world.

“I don’t want to think about it too much, but I could be world number one before that World Championship.

“I’ve just got to keep chucking away and put as much pressure as I can on Luke.”

Littler begins his European Championship campaign against five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld, 58, on Friday.

Humphries, 30, faces Pole Krzysztof Ratajski in the first round and could potentially meet Littler in the quarter-finals.