Jan Vertonghen has revealed he is desperate to join Tottenham but fears Ajax could price him out of a move to north London.
The Belgium defender is one of Spurs’ top transfer targets for next season and they have already opened talks with his club.
Vertonghen, who Ajax value between ?ú10million and ?ú12m, has made Tottenham his first choice and has pleaded with his club not to place obstacles in his path, especially as his deal expires next summer. Spurs’ offer is likely to be about ?ú7m.
“Tottenham are absolutely my favourite,” the defender told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. “But the Ajax board are asking for a very big amount for a player whose contract is running out in a year. I trust that Tottenham and Ajax will soon reach an agreement.”
The 25-year-old joined Ajax as a youth player in 2003 and made his first‑team debut three years later.
“I owe much to Ajax but I’ve always given my whole heart and soul to the club,” he said. “My appreciation for the club and the fans is great. It would be terrible if my farewell is marred or distorted because Ajax [are stubborn] with the asking price.”
“Of course I want Ajax to gain financially, but the amount that Tottenham want to pay, I think — perhaps with a little extra — is very reasonable. Next year I can leave for free.”
Here is a trnslation nicked from SC.
Vertonghen hopes Ajax will co-operate.
Jan Vertonghen (25) presumes he has played his last game for Ajax. Tottenham is his preferred choice, said the Telesport Player Of The Year. The Belgian hopes that his employer will be more co-operative in the coming days.
The Amsterdam club want to receive more than 12 million Euro. "The board is asking too high an amount for a player that has one year left of his contract" claims Vertonghen as well as his agent Mustapha Nakhli - with respect to Ajax, these are not very realistic amounts.
In other countries they tend to look at the remaining length of a contract and I am also not as well known abroad as I am in Holland. I count on it that Tottenham and Ajax can compromise and come to terms together, said the defender. I have a lot to thank Ajax for, but I have given my all for them. My appreciation for the club and its supporters is huge. I would find it awful if my farewell would be tainted by fraud relations, just because Ajax is keeping firm on the high asking price.
Of course I want Ajax to benefit financially, but the price Tottenham is willing to pay, seems to be - with a little extra - very reasonable. Next year i could leave for free.
I hope they will take that into consideration, because a transfer wrangle like the long saga with Maarten Stekelenburg is the last thing I want.He only joined AS Roma near the end of their season preparations. I want to fit in, start at the same time as the other players at Spurs. That his future lies in North London is something that the smiling Belgian is sure of.
Tottenham is a fantastic traditional club, that plays football the way I like to play it. Ajax was a perfect club for me, but Spurs is getting close to that style now. They buy young, eager, attack minded players.
