Ajax manager Erik ten Hag has hinted that the Dutch side may be interested in signing Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Jan Vertonghen in the summer transfer window.
The Belgian is likely to be available at the end of the season, with his current contract at Spurs set to expire.
Vertonghen is a former Ajax player, having played for the Eredivisie outfit for six years between 2006 and 2012. In his time with the club, he made 220 appearances in total, scoring 28 goals and helping them win two Dutch titles and two Dutch cups (Transfermarkt).
He left the Amsterdam-based club to join Tottenham, where he has been a regular presence consistently, playing 307 times in all competitions since his arrival (Transfermarkt). However, recently he has been in and out of the team, starting four of their last seven matches in all competitions (Transfermarkt). In his most recent appearance against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, he was withdrawn after just 54 minutes, which left him visibly upset (The Sun).
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With his contract set to expire in the summer, it looks increasingly likely that the 32-year-old will leave north London soon and ten Hag has indicated that Ajax are monitoring his situation.
“Jan has a history at Ajax. Of course we are following his situation very closely, but you also have to look at the position in which someone plays,” he said when speaking to Dutch TV channel Ziggo Sport (via Evening Standard).
“If that comes together, the availability and the position in which he plays, then he is an option. There is no question of any age limit here. If someone is good enough, it doesn’t matter how old he is.”
If this move were to materialise, then it would probably be a good move for Vertonghen. As mentioned, he is starting to be left out of the starting 11 by Mourinho at the moment and, at 32, his best years may now be behind him.
It has been reported by the Daily Express that Mourinho is planning a £120m spending spree to improve Spurs’ defence in the summer and that, combined with the emergence of youngster Japhet Tanganga, means that it seems unlikely that Vertonghen has a future at the club.
Going back to a place where he enjoyed plenty of success before could be good for the defender as he is likely to get more game time and still be able to compete at that level.
Spurs fans, do you think it is time to allow Jan Vertonghen to leave the club? Let us know in the comments below…
