Ajax manager Erik ten Hag comments on Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen

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Ajax manager Erik ten Hag has seemingly refused to rule out a summer move for Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen.

The Belgian centre-half’s contract is expiring and, as things currently stand, he will walk away from Spurs for nothing in a few months’ time.

Speculation about the 32-year-old’s future has been rife this season, and noise grew louder recently when Jose Mourinho substituted him before the hour-mark against Southampton in the FA Cup.

The dejected-looking Vertonghen’s agent Tom De Mul commented afterwards (HLN) saying his client could still remain at Spurs beyond the summer, but football.london say a return to former club Ajax could be on the cards.

On Vertonghen, Ajax boss ten Hag said (Ziggo, relayed by Voetbal International): “Jan has a history at Ajax. Of course, we are following his situation very closely, but you also have to look at the position in which someone plays.

“If that comes together, the availability and the position in which he plays, then he is an option.

“There is no question of any age limit here. If someone is good enough, it doesn’t matter how old he is.”

TBR’s view – Spurs should move on from Vertonghen

He has been an amazing servant for the club, but it is clear to see that age is catching up with Vertonghen now.

It might be within Spurs’ best interests to let the defender go and free up £100,000-a-week on the wages (Spotrac) in the process.

It would be a shame to see him experience a real decline by sticking around for one more season when the warning signs are there.

Vertonghen is held in extremely high regard by fans and to see him become a shadow of his former self is surely something nobody wants to see.

A romantic return to Ajax could be a move that suits all parties.