The former Ajax defender was one of the players Wenger was hoping to seal a deal with. There were also interests from other clubs, with Arsenal and Tottenham being the favourites but the Belgian chose to join our North-London rivals.
Vertonghen said he had a long discussion with Arsenal legend, Dennis Bergkamp before deciding on where to go.
“He (Dennis Bergkamp) knows Tottenham is a very big club. He’s a very good guy and I get along with him very well,” the defender was quoted in the press.
“He was very positive about both clubs and about London, and he just said ‘make your choice.’
“I chose Spurs because they gave mea good feeling. I spoke to Daniel Levy and I talked with Rafael van der Vaart.
“They invited me here and gave me the best feeling in the world. From that moment on I said to myself, ‘I want to play here’.
“Arsenal did try to sign me but I’d already made my decision that I wanted to play here.”
Vertonghen also said his fellow countryman, Thomas Vermaelen had told him about the deadly rivalry between Arsenal and Tottenham but revealed he had been treated well by Gunner fans he met on the streets.
“Thomas told me it was like Ajax and Feyenoord, ” Vertonghen added.“They’re big rivals but when I walk down the street even the Arsenal fans have been very respectful.”
