The longest running transfer saga of this season’s summer transfer window has finally come to an end as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jan-Vertonghen-c17814 signs for Tottenham Hotspur.
The Belgian centre-half has long been linked with the North London club, but his transfer was stalled on several occasions as a transfer clause in his contract led to a disagreement with his former club, Ajax.
Vertonghen’s transfer clause stated that he be paid 15 percent of any amount agreed regarding his sale. Ajax were not willing to pay this figure, and last week it looked like the player’s switch to Spurs would not go through as he resumed pre-season training
with his Ajax teammates.
Ajax head coach Frank de Boer was coy on the whole situation, and it was only Vertonghen’s representative who was confident that a deal with Tottenham would soon be agreed.
Tottenham announced yesterday that a deal for the defensive powerhouse had been agreed for a fee that could possibly rise to £ 9.5 million.
The defender will pen down his signatures on a long-term contract pending a medical with the club.
"I'm very happy that the saga's finally over. I don't have to worry about anything any more, and can focus on other things again," the 25-year-old commented on his switch.
"It's great that I can start at Spurs during pre-season. That was very important for me. I'm looking forward to a great time. I've heard a lot of beautiful stories about Tottenham."
Vertonghen had also been linked with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 for quite some time, but preferred a move to Tottenham because of more first team opportunities there. The defender will strengthen a Tottenham defence that has been weakened over the summer by the departures
of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ryan-Nelsen-c31992.
The player will compete with the likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Younes-Kaboul-c37543 as he links up with his new teammates this week.
Speaking further about his move, Vertonghen said:
"They have a lot of good players and I hope the most important players will stay, but that's my opinion, I'm not one of the directors.”
"I hope the players will stay and we have a good team next season."
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