Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, ex-Tottenham defender Alan Hutton has claimed Jan Vertonghen faces a ‘difficult‘ decision to make in north London – with the pundit going on to hint that he could still quit despite variables to his current contract.
Vertonghen, who has made over 300 appearances for the club in all competitions since his signing from Ajax back in the summer of 2012, is currently refusing to sign an extension on his current deal even despite the global pandemic seemingly forcing out-of-contract players to commit.
Should Spurs try to extend Vertonghen's deal?
Yes, still has plenty to offer
No, it's time to leave
The Premier League recently confirmed that clubs can agree short-term deals with players who may be out-of-contract this summer, but talks are currently up in the air between Vertonghen and Spurs over a potential extension for the Belgian defender.
Indeed, the ex-Mauricio Pochettino outcast’s relationship with the club has debatably been up and down over the past season, but current manager Jose Mourinho may well be seeing the last of him given his contract situation.
Now, ex-Spur Hutton has come out to give his verdict, claiming that it may be unlikely he commits any further to the club when a free transfer away could be on the cards.
“It’s a really strange one, it’s difficult to think of – I’m trying to think from my perspective, if it was me. I mean how long are we talking, are we talking a month’s contract, are we talking three?” the Scotsman asked Football Insider.
“It’s been a strange one for him throughout the season, it’s been well documented about wanting to leave, then he’s going to stay, then we don’t know what’s happening and time’s running out but I would want to keep him.
“I think he’s got a lot of time left in his legs and it’s whether he wants to do that or not – he might not want to commit and then put people off so he might be one of the ones who is just willing to hold out and see where it takes him.”
According to WhoScored, the 33-year-old has average the third-highest amount of tackles in the squad, just behind Serge Aurier and Japhet Tanganga – making the second-most interceptions in that time as well.
This could support the theory that Vertonghen may well have more to offer, but judging by Hutton’s verdict, the centre-back may well be ready to depart the capital.