Tottenham Hotspur have told Inter Milan they will not sell Jan Vertonghen in January as the Italian club consider a move for the defender next summer, per The Guardian.
What’s the word?
The Belgium international’s contract expires at the end of the season and the report claims that he is unsure as to what his next move will be.
Inter are keen to secure Vertonghen, however, and will attempt to convince him to sign on a free transfer next summer.
The Serie A giants are said to be willing to offer the 32-year-old a three-year deal, which is longer than any extension that is likely to be on offer in north London.
Nevertheless, Spurs are hopeful he will commit to fresh terms as they sweat over a number of expiring contracts; both Toby Alderweireld and Christian Eriksen have deals that run out following the conclusion of this campaign.
Clean break
Spurs would be better off cashing in on Vertonghen, recouping a fee and reinvesting the money.
Otherwise, there will be a lingering uncertainty over the 117-cap Belgian’s future during the business end of the season and a question of will he or won’t he when it comes to his extension.
Of course, Vertonghen has been an excellent servant to the club, making nearly 300 appearances and playing in the Champions League final last season.
But at the age of 32, one has to believe that he has passed his peak; handing him a new deal would feel more ceremonial than genuinely vital.
After all, Vertonghen didn’t even start a Premier League game until September at the beginning of this season, and has since been involved in heavy losses to Brighton and Bayern Munich.
Davinson Sanchez is already at the club, waiting to be trusted on a permanent basis, and Spurs will merely need to find him a long-term partner.
Doing business in January isn’t easy, but Alderweireld can bridge the gap until the end of the season if necessary – although there’s an obvious argument to Spurs cashing in on him too.
And should the decision be taken now, one feels that the club’s scouting team would be able to identify a replacement in defence.
It is in everyone’s best interests that Vertonghen is moved on, even if that means making a u-turn on the club’s current stance.