Jan Vertonghen will not be returning to Ajax when he leaves Tottenham. That is according to De Telegraaf, who report that the Dutch champions weren’t willing to make the financial commitment to bring the Belgian back.
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Vertonghen joined Spurs from Ajax in 2012 for £12m – fee according to BBC Sport – and De Telegraaf understands that we would be looking to recoup most of that sum if we were to sell him in January. Of course we would.
The 32-year-old’s wages were also allegedly a stumbling block for Ajax.
But as one door closes, another one opens for Vertonghen. Sky Sports reports that Napoli are interested in signing him to be the new leader of their defence in the post-Kalidou Koulibaly era. Koulibaly is expected to leave Italy this summer, when Vertonghen will be available on a free.
Sky Sports adds that Jose Mourinho wants Vertonghen to sign new terms at Spurs, but fan opinion is starting to sway the other way with recent performances suggesting that the long-serving centre-back has lost his legs.
A couple of years in Serie A before finding a retirement league would suit him perfectly.
No way would a City or Liverpool keep Vertonghen as a starter, a bench player maybe. Plain fact is we can’t afford to replace him, and we have bigger holes to fill.