Tottenham Hotspur centre-half Jan Vertonghen is away on international duty with Belgium this September break and it appears from a recent interview that fan concerns about his future were slightly off the mark.
It was believed by many that the 31-year-old was out of contract next summer and would, therefore, be free to agree a pre-contract with a club abroad during the January transfer window, but the man himself has now confirmed that Spurs do hold a further 12-month option on him within his existing deal and he fully anticipates that the option will be enacted prior to next summer.
The expectation is at that stage we’ll then enter in new contract talks with the man to keep ourselves covered.
Jan Vertonghen: “My contract is expiring at the end of the season, but Tottenham have an option to extend it with one year. I think they will take up the option. We’ll see what happens.” #thfc #coys pic.twitter.com/5ko7BXJKdm
— Kristof Terreur ???? (@HLNinEngeland) September 5, 2018
It’s obviously allayed the fears of many who had been concerned that new contract talks weren’t already underway, so it’s not as big a problem as it seemed on face value, but it certainly takes the pressure off.
He can do that in 1 years time tho. Not to say he won’t but there’s no immediate rush
— Paul O Keefe (@pokeefe1) September 5, 2018
Pound for pound one of the Best Buy’s we have made for years. @JanVertonghen #super
— Gary Raynor (@Billyspurs) September 5, 2018
They should really be giving him 2/3 years. Man is outstanding
— Gareth McCarter (@g2mcc) September 5, 2018
Looks like Jan has cleared that one up
— George (@GEORGIE_35) September 5, 2018
They should be signing him and Toby up to new 3-4 year deals. ASAP
— Terry Mullen (@trmullen) September 5, 2018
Levy needs to give this man a a really good new contract. He's been a rock for us.
— Daniel Shack (@Daniel_Shack) September 5, 2018
Not just for his own performances (which are excellent) but also the way he helped ease Davinson into the prem last season he deserves a new deal imo.
— James Darvall (@darvall77) September 5, 2018
Best centre back in the league deserves a new big contract from Levy
— Martin Morrison (@martmyte) September 5, 2018
That said, as the above selection of comments suggest, plenty of fans are hoping we sort this sooner rather than later.