According to Fabrizio Romano of the Guardian, Tottenham have ‘not given up’ trying to ‘agree (a) new contract’ with Jan Vertonghen. Inter Milan have shown an interest in the 32-year-old but are likely to be rebuffed in their efforts in January.
Vertonghen is in the final year of his deal in North London and could leave on a free transfer next summer if Spurs fail to tie him down to an extension. But despite the Belgian international struggling for form this season, Tottenham still want him at the club past 2020.
Since his 2012-move from Ajax, the central defender has gone on to make 294 appearances in all competitions, scoring and creating 18 goals. He’s formed a potent partnership alongside Toby Alderweireld but now finds his place in the side up for grabs – Davinson Sanchez edged Vertonghen out of the starting XI against Liverpool (October 27).
The 32-year-old can sign a pre-contract deal with an overseas side in January, so there’s no guarantee that Mauricio Pochettino can keep his man. Spurs don’t want to sell him to Inter Milan in January, but they could still lose him for nothing six months later.