JAN VERTONGHEN has hinted that he could stay in the Premier League following his departure from Tottenham.
The Belgian defender refused to rule out remaining in England after his eight-year stay at Spurs came to an end.
Vertonghen made his final start for Spurs in the 0-0 draw at Bournemouth earlier this monthCredit: AFP AFP or Licensors AFP or Licensors
Vertonghen, 33, is looking for a new club after his contract at the North Londoners expired.
He said: “I’m considering the options and making a good choice. That will be out probably sooner rather than later
“Obviously the window now is longer than it was last year, so we’ve got a bit of time to assess the best option.”
Asked if he could join another English club, he said: “It will all depend on the options.
“I’ve got something in my head and we’ll see if that will come around or not.”
Vertonghen made 315 appearances for Tottenham after joining them from Ajax in 2012 for £12million.
His central defensive partnership with Toby Alderweireld was once considered as the most solid in the Premier League.
The pair provided the platform for Spurs to achieve four successive top-four finishes under previous boss Mauricio Pochettino.
The Belgian duo also played a key role in their historic run to last season’s Champions League final – where they were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool in Madrid.
Pochettino was axed in November after a poor start to the season and Vertonghen was left out by new boss Jose Mourinho after failing to agree a new contract with the club.
Vertonghen agreed to stay until the end of this Covid-hit campaign, but made just one start in restart.
I will miss everyone, it’s been a great ride and it could have lasted longer but it is time now for it to end.
Jan Vertonghen
Despite this Mourinho hailed the professionalism of the star, who became a crowd favourite during his eight years in N17.
Vertonghen told talkSPORT: “I felt like I owed that to him and to Spurs in general, as it wasn’t my best season and I could be quite disappointed at times.
Vertonghen excelled at Spurs after signing in 2012 under Andre Villas-BoasCredit: PA:Press Association
“But it was my task to train hard and respect team-mates when I wasn’t playing or on the bench, and I hope I did that.
“I had a great time, made a lot of friends and learned a lot of things both off the pitch and on the pitch
“I will miss everyone, it’s been a great ride and it could have lasted longer but it is time now for it to end.”
Jan Vertonghen posts video after fellow Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld signs new Spurs deal
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
