Belgian defender deal close to collapse

Times can change fast; a job becomes a career, a fling becomes a long-term partner and before you know it life has fast forwarded around 15 years and you’re in a cubicle wondering what the hell happened and why you’re laughing at a viral email.

Whilst this probably isn’t Jan Vertonghen’s long –term fate, there is a certain amount of relation to his situation in terms of how fast times can change.

Not too long ago, Vertonghen was on target for a move to Tottenham Hotspur from Ajax but now, around four weeks later, the move has hit the area known as trouble according to a story in The Sun today.

The paper reports that the Belgian defender is entitled to 15% of any fee paid for him in a transfer but Ajax are unwilling to pay out the fee for the £9.5m transfer to Spurs.

Vertonghen  said: “I’m shocked. The percentage is correct — it’s unbelievable. I know that at Ajax a lot of things are leaking. When you hear it about other football players, you don’t feel it. It’s different when it’s about yourself.”

It is thought that the deal could spell the end of the move with Vertonghen attempting to smooth things over with his current club to ensure he can stay at the club for the forthcoming season.

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