According to Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail, Tottenham have opened talks with Jan Vertonghen over a new contract. Spurs triggered a 12-month extension on the centre-back’s initial contract in December 2018 and are looking to keep him past 2020.
The 32-year-old could be a free agent next summer if he fails to put pen to paper on an extension. The Lilywhites only want to hand Vertonghen a 12-month deal, but the Belgian international is keen for a longer contract.
He told the Daily Mail: “I’m very aware of my age. But I feel fairly young. I want to play as many games as I can at highest possible level. I’m very ambitious. I feel like I still have a couple of good years left in me. That’s definitely how I’m feeling now. I hope I can help the team for as long as I can.”
Vertonghen has made 290 appearances in all competitions since joining Spurs in 2012, scoring and creating 18 goals. The 32-year-old has made five appearances this season while playing every minute of Tottenham’s last four Premier League games.
Spurs could lose both Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld in 2020, potentially leaving Mauricio Pochettino with Juan Foyth and Davinson Sanchez at centre-back next season, so they’re desperate to tie the pair down to new deals.
Tottenham next face Bayern Munich in the Champions League and need a result after dropping two points in their group opener to Olympiacos.