Jan Vertonghen has been targeted by multiple English Premier League teams over the course of the past six months. His stock again seems to be picking up steam as the big Belgian center half has captained Ajax Amsterdam to within three points of the European UEFA club competitions in the Dutch Eredivisie and is looking for a fresh go of it at a new club in the summer.
Tottenham recently have announced their interest to sign the player as a long term replacement for injury laden skipper Ledley King. Spurs are also prime candidates to sign the Belgian defender’s national team compatriot Eden Hazard from French club Lille OSC.
Spurs would hope that signing either one to the club would give the other more incentive to make the move to North London and join the ambitious squad that is currently third in the EPL table.
However, the London club faces competition from not only their close rival of Arsenal but now it appears both sides of the famous Tyne-Wear Derby are chasing him as well. Wearside club Sunderland has been rebuffed of their pursuit according to TalkSport when the Black Cats tried to sign him at the end of the January transfer window.
The Daily Mail reported that other derby rival of Tyneside located club Newcastle United are said to have been in attendance for Ajax’s second leg UEFA Europa League tie against Manchester United at Old Trafford in England.
Reports from the Sunderland Echo also are claiming that Newcastle an interested party hotly tracking the high profile defender as their backline has been riddled with injuries and mediocre talent.
Givemefootball.com is listing Manchester United as a potential major suitor as the Red Devils have old talent and new talent but nothing in the middle to bridge the gap and the big Belgian could be just that for the Red Devils.
It now also appears that along with all of the interest that Vertonghen has claimed from England he also now has an interested Italian party in AS Roma of the Serie A. The Wolves want him to add new depth and youth to their aging back line and could do so as long as they reach Ajax’s £10 million valuation.
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