Spurs fans on Twitter have been reacting to the latest update on Jan Vertonghen and his contract situation with the North London club.
According to Belgian news outlet Nieuwsblad (via Daily Hotspur), Spurs have offered the centre-back a one-month contract until the end of July to ensure that he can be available to feature in the remaining Premier League fixtures. The 33-year-old’s current deal is set to expire later this month, but it now seems as if the Lilywhites are hoping to keep hold of him for another few weeks, at least.
While a report in The Times had previously suggested Vertonghen’s time at Spurs was indeed coming to an end this summer, it has emerged that this may not be the case, which only leaves more uncertainty hanging over his future.
With the Premier League set to resume in just under two weeks’ time, Jose Mourinho is perhaps keen to ensure that the former Ajax man does not depart the club before the season’s conclusion, though the report suggests: “The 33-year-old defender hopes to sign a contract elsewhere and may want to avoid an injury to a potential employer. Therefore, it is uncertain that he will sign.”
So far this season, Vertonghen has made 19 appearances in the top flight, averaging a fairly solid 6.85/10 rating (per WhoScored), suggesting that he is still a valued part of Mourinho’s first-team squad. His performances in the Champions League this season, however, suggest that he may no longer be at his best, as he averaged a dreadful 6.23 rating across his three appearances in the competition.
Is offering Vertonghen a one-month extension disprespectful?
Yes
No
Reaction from Spurs fans to the latest report on Vertonghen’s contract situation can be seen in the tweets below.
SUIIIIII
— / Dier Propaganda (@sacramentoszn) June 3, 2020
We’re gonna win the league.
— ??????. (@coys8382) June 3, 2020
Other Spurs fans suggested that if they were in Vertonghen’s situation, they would reject the offer.
If I’m Jan, I’m saying no. This is disrespectful.
— Milwaukee Spurs (@MKESpurs) June 3, 2020
Reject instantly
— Nathan Eade (@NathanEade) June 3, 2020
Some fans bemoaned the lack of respect for the defender, who has made 311 appearances for the Lilywhites during his time at the club.
What a terrible lack of respect for one of the best players we’ve had in the last decade
— Andy THFC (@AndyTHFC14) June 3, 2020
Hope he takes it and gets a decent send-off with a few starts and wins, but I wouldn’t blame him if he turned it down.
— I Swore I’d Never Use Tw¡tter (@swore_i) June 3, 2020
Overall, it seems as if a lot of Spurs fans are disappointed with the club’s reported contract offer and feel that their centre-back deserved more.