Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Ajax are interested in signing Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen, per Ziggo via Sport Witness.
What’s he said?
The Belgium defender spent six years at Ajax between 2006 and 2012 prior to his move to White Hart Lane.
And with his contract due to expire at the end of the season, the Dutch club’s interest in re-signing the 32-year-old has now been confirmed by their manager.
Speaking after 1-0 win over PSV Eindhoven on Sunday, he said: “Jan has a history at Ajax. Of course we are following his situation very closely, but you also have to look at the position in which someone plays.
“If that comes together, the availability and the position in which he plays, then he is an option.”
Perfect move for him
Vertonghen’s destiny may have been sealed.
A return to Ajax could well be the exact thing he needs, particularly if the club are not set to offer him a new contract.
His agent stated last week that there remains the possibility that he could choose to stay in north London but one feels that his substitution against Southampton in the FA Cup was instructive of his next move.
He slowly walked around the pitch to get to the bench, barely acknowledged his manager, Jose Mourinho, and sat, appearing crestfallen, watching the rest of the game.
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His withdrawal came after he had been exposed multiple times in the first-half due to his lack of pace.
While we cannot know what his intention is, one feels that returning to Ajax a hero would be a fine way to close a lengthy, distinguished chapter in his career.
Few at Spurs would begrudge him it, be they in the stands or in the dressing room, and a switch to Eredivisie football, which is notably less intense than the Premier League, could even prolong his career.
Meanwhile, Japhet Tanganga has to be in line for a major Spurs award!