Spurs fans were shocked to hear that Jan Vertonghen may well have played his final game for the club.
According to Belgian news outlet Voetbalkrant (via Ricky Sacks), Spurs and Vertonghen have failed to negotiate a deal and Jose Mourinho is now keen to secure a fee for the defender before Friday’s transfer deadline. The 32-year-old is out of contract in the summer and with talks of a new contract seemingly off the table, it is no surprise to hear that Mourinho wants to sell the former Ajax man rather than losing him on a free transfer in the summer.
Vertonghen signed for Spurs from Ajax in 2012 and has gone on to make 306 appearances for the North London club in nearly eight years in the Premier League. The experienced defender has been a mainstay in the Spurs side, but his performances have slipped this season, with the Belgian international averaging a disappointing 6.84 rating, with many Spurs fans suggesting he is way past his best.
Should Spurs try and sell Vertonghen before Friday?
Yes
No
Reaction from Spurs fans to the reported news that Vertonghen could have played his last game for the club can be seen in the tweets below.
It’s time. He’s lost two steps this year. Great player and could see him as a manager one day.
— S (@jsethke) January 28, 2020
I think he’s had his day this season he looks totally off the pace
— Mark Lucas (@Mark_lucasSkem) January 28, 2020
Get rid .Past his best and doesn’t try.
— Olly Day (@DrewPEA50191850) January 29, 2020
Good news in my opinion…
— Jay || EnebÒjòjò (@JeremiahOmada) January 28, 2020
Super Jan was my favourite CB but his age has really caught up with him over the last year and now I can’t remember the last time he had a good game. Same can be said about Alderweireld, which is why I found it strange that we signed Alderweireld up again.
— EssexDogs (@dogs_essex) January 28, 2020
all good things come to an end.
One of the best defenders to grace the premier league.
— Slippery Jim (@Slippery__Jimmy) January 28, 2020
We can’t have Jan and Toby as a pair much too slow
— Matthew Lloyd (@LloydMattspurs) January 28, 2020
These Spurs fans clearly feel that Vertonghen is past his best and it may well be the best option to sell him before Friday’s deadline.
What do we think?
Although his performances haven’t been the best this season, Vertonghen provides versatility and experience in a shaky Spurs defence, so unless they can bring in a replacement it seems unwise to try and sell the £16.2 million rated man before the end of the window.