Confusion (and conjecture) reigns over Vertonghen deal

Ajax’s Jan Vertonghen has been a busy boy these last few days what with helping Ajax to win the Eredivise title, joining up with Belgium to skipper their summer internationals and then giving lots of quotes that have been made into two diametrically opposed stories in two of today’s national papers.

Firstly, the Guardian reports that the defender has been touched by the personal approach shown by Tottenham Hotspur in their pursuit of him with the player being shown around White Hart Lane and Daniel Levy personally flying over to Amsterdam to discuss transfer terms with Ajax. The 25-year-old has a year left on his contract and Ajax want at £12m for him though Spurs are only currently offering £9.6m.

Vertonghen said; “I have a preference for Spurs. I've got the best feeling for that club and I'm a 'feeling person'. They already invited me and want to handle it quickly. They say I'm their only option, which I take as a compliment."

However, another story in the Daily Star today paints something of a different picture with Vertoghen casting doubts about the plausibility of the move and suggesting he may go to Arsenal if Spurs fail to agree terms quickly with Ajax. Although he concedes in the Star story that Spurs are his first choice, he made clear that Arsenal remains a possibility for him and the move may come to fruition as Spurs could lack the financial muscle in the wake of their ‘failure’ to qualify for the Champions League next season.

This time, he said; “I’ve said repeatedly that Tottenham are my first choice, but the talks haven’t progressed. But Arsenal want me too. They remain a possibility if my Spurs move falls through, as Ajax are asking €15m for me. That is a lot of money for someone with just a year left on his contract. I’m sure Spurs won’t be able to pay that much ­after they missed out on the Champions League. Ajax want to get as much as they can for me, while Spurs want to pay as little as possible”.

Just a little hint Jan, playing Arsenal and Spurs off against each other, no matter how undoubtedly and admirably honest and straight you’re being about the situation, probably isn’t a good road to go down.

Dan Whiteway

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