Arsenal are set to make a late bid to sign Tottenham-bound defender Jan Vertonghen.
Vertonghen is set to enter the final
year of his Ajax contract this summer and has made it clear he won’t be
signing an extension, despite leading the Dutch giants to the Eredivisie
title this season.
Widespread reports on Tuesday claimed
that the Ajax captain was set for a move to Tottenham after being quoted
by several media outlets as saying Spurs were his preferred destination and he was keen for the two clubs to agree a deal. Goal.com quoted the player as saying:
“Tottenham are absolutely my favourite.“I trust that both Tottenham and Ajax will put some water in the wine and they will soon reach an agreement.”“Of course I want Ajax to gain financially, but the amount that Tottenham want to pay, I think – perhaps with a little extra – is very reasonable.“Tottenham is a fantastic football club that has the tradition I want,” he explained.“Ajax was the perfect club for me, but Spurs is already very close nearby. They buy young, eager, offensive-minded players.”
However, talkSPORT are now claiming that
Arsenal haven’t given up hope yet and aren’t ready to let Jan
Vertonghen move to Tottenham without a fight.
The report suggests Arsene Wenger
will try to hijack Tottenham’s
move for the 25-year-old and the Belgian
stopper will be open to a move to the Emirates as long as he’s promised
first team football.
I always thought there was a long way to
go in the Vertonghen transfer saga and talks over an immanent move to
White Hart Lane were a little premature. The player has made several
noises in recent months about his future, but one thing that seems clear
is that first team football is vital for the lad.
Arsene Wenger already has Thomas
Vermaelen, Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker (when fit) fighting it
out for the two centre back places, so unless the Frenchman plans to
utilise Vertonghen at left back, i really can’t see him being guaranteed
first team football at the Emirates.
Tottenham on the other hand are
desperate for a long-term replacement for Ledley King. Younes Kaboul has
been excellent this season and is almost certain to start, but William
Gallas is the wrong side of 30 and picking up niggling injuries while
Michael Dawson has suffered two serious injuries within the last 2
years, so a reliable partner for Kaboul is required.
So based on the chances of playing in
his preferred centre back position week-in week-out, Tottenham still
seem the most likely destination.
