Jan Vertonghen desperate for Tottenham to keep one player this summer

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Jan Vertonghen has told Sky Sports that he is desperate to see Tottenham Hotspur keep Christian Eriksen beyond the summer window, despite the Dane’s recent comments.

Eriksen, 27, has 12 months remaining on his contract at Tottenham and it looks as though he could be on his way with Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid very heavily interested – despite the recent signing of Eden Hazard.

Speaking ahead of Denmark’s international fixtures this month, Eriksen told Ekstra Bladet that he wanted to “try something new”, suggesting that he could leave Spurs this summer.

But Eriksen’s Spurs teammate Vertonghen has issued a plea in the playmaker’s direction, urging his fellow former Ajax star to stay at Spurs and help the club build on their 2018-19 campaign.

“Obviously when the transfer window starts there are a lot rumours, but there were rumours last year and everyone stayed together, so I’m hopeful,” Vertonghen said.

“Christian is a great player. I have known him since he was 16, played with him since he was 16 or 17 [at Ajax] and I hope he’s with Tottenham next season. He’s an exceptional player.”

TBR’s view

Eriksen is looking more and more likely to leave and if he is unwilling to sign a new contract, then Tottenham may look to offload him this summer in order to bring in some cash for his signature.

However, Spurs will obviously be selling Eriksen through gritted teeth. If they have any chance of keeping him, it will be through Eriksen’s teammates in a bid to convince the midfielder that he should remain where he is.

Having an influential player such as Vertonghen urging his old Ajax and Tottenham teammate pleading for him to stay could have an impact on Eriksen’s decision.