Barcelona and Arsenal in race for signing Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen
There is a surprise package that has just travelled from Camp Nou in Spain and that is by Spanish football giants, Barcelona, taking interest in the Ajax defender, Jan Vertonghen.
Reports have it that Barcelona has joined in the race along with Arsenal to sign in the prodigal 23- year old Belgian defender.
Officials have concluded that the signing might take place during the January period when the 2010-11 season will have its break.
Both the Gunners and Blaugrana have been looking forward to signing some young and talented defenders for some time now, however, they have been unsuccessful in their desired search so far.
The Catalan manager, Pep Guardiola, has reportedly stated that he is quite impressed with the skills of the young defender. In his praise he said that it is time he spends some time in Catalonia and learn some new tricks.
It was later confirmed that the Barcelona management wanted to sign in the defender too. In the hope to have a spare left and centre back, as these are the places where the Spanish club, fall back on right now.
Vertonghen played for Ajax in the 2006-07 Season, where he was capped just 4 times. In the next season, he was sent off on loan to RKC Waalwijk, where he scored 3 goals in 14 appearances as a defender.
After that the player was brought back into the Dutch club in 2007 and since then he has played a total of 113 matches for Ajax and scored 9 goals in them.
Right now he still has three years left on his contract with Ajax that won the Champions League in 1995.
The Dutch heavy weights took the 2nd position in their top home League Eredivisie last season. It is also the club where the world class striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, took his flight from.
The attractiveness about Vertonghen, is his versatility to play on different positions. While he is excellent on the flanks, when required he can readily lend a hand in the midfield. Therefore, in recent matches he has featured more as a midfielder rather than
a defender.
Other clubs that are showing interest in the signing of Vertonghen are Juventus and Everton, who have unofficially even contacted the player.
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