Spurs fans were greeted to the news that centre-back Jan Vertonghen was attracting interest from Italian giants Inter last night, with Antonio Conte reportedly keen to add the Belgian to his squad.
The news was met with general positivity by the majority of Spurs fans, with many keen to see the 33-year-old depart the North London club. Vertonghen, who joined from Ajax in 2012, has been a regular in Mauricio Pochettino’s side over the past seven years; making nearly 300 appearances for the Lilywhites.
However, with Vertonghen’s contract set to expire in 2020, it seems as if the experienced centre-back’s time in the Premier League may be coming to an end. Conte is reportedly (as per Sky Italia, via Calciomercato) a big fan of the Belgian international and may make a move for him at a cut-price in January, but may also wait until the summer to try and sign the former Ajax man on a free transfer.
Vertonghen has been one of several Spurs players to struggle this season, averaging a 6.61 rating so far and it seems as if Pochettino isn’t too convinced (as per Football Insider) about giving him a new deal.
Reaction to the news of Inter’s interest in Vertonghen can be seen in the tweets from Spurs fans below.
Let him go now along with toby and eriksen , rose
— Happy Harry (@HappyHenry1969) October 28, 2019
I will drive him from the airport
— Python (@Maleek_Aji) October 28, 2019
If he were to go, that would be my ideal place for him
— Tanguy Lo Sessegnon (@Memephis_) October 28, 2019
@ivan_prothero time to get excited
— George Champion (@Georgechamps7) October 28, 2019
Loved Jan for years but the blokes deterioration this season has been staggering, lost a yard of pace and keeps finding himself out of position. 33 now surely cut our loses now and get something for him!
— Daniel Estherby (@Daniel_Estherby) October 29, 2019
And good riddance too he’s done well over the years but he’s finished
— Pablo mcc (@pablo_mccalla10) October 28, 2019
These tweets clearly show that Spurs fans are more than willing to see the 33-year-old defender go.
What do we think?
Vertonghen has shown that he can rise to the top to be arguably one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League since signing in 2012, evidenced by his 2012-13 and 2017-18 appearances in the PFA team of the year. However, it seems clear with Spurs’ current form that some sort of rebuild is needed at the club and with Vertonghen now 33, perhaps it is time the Belgian moved on. It would be a surprise to see Vertonghen leave in January however, with a free transfer move in the summer seeming most likely.