JAN VERTONGHEN claims the horrific coronavirus pandemic has made him ‘more coveted’ as a player.
The Belgian international defender is out of contract at Spurs this summer and seems certain to leave after eight years in north London.
Jan Vertonghen has made 19 appearances in the Premier League this seasonCredit: PA:Press Association
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And he believes the imminent collapse of the transfer market will make him one of football’s hottest properties.
Vertonghen, 33 today, said: “The coronavirus lockdown has brought a lot of uncertainty to the transfer market and, strangely enough, it has had a positive effect on interest in players who are out of contract.
“A lot of clubs don’t have the money to do transfers so players like me, who are free, are more coveted than ever before.
“Since January a number of clubs have come forward with serious proposals for next season and I really want to continue at the top level for a few years more.
“I’d like to play European football next season and though the Spanish and Italian leagues are the most obvious markets for me, I will keep all my options open.”
Vertonghen, who cost Spurs £8million when he joined from Ajax in 2012, has not ruled out extending his stay at the club.
He added: “I want to sign with the right club. It could be Spurs or another club.”
But Vertonghen wants a two-year contract and Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is only willing to offer him a 12-month deal, which has opened the door for Inter Milan to move to the head of the queue.
Speaking in a video call to Play Sports in Belgium, Vertonghen said he was certain he had not played his last game for Spurs and confident the Premier League season will eventually be completed.
But he admitted it could put a strain on family life if top-flight stars are quarantined together while playing out the remaining 92 games.
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He said: “They will do everything to finish the competition and people here are even considering quarantining the players, coaches and referees for five weeks to finish the games.
“It would be like a mini-World Cup, which would be quite dramatic for a family man like me.
“But money talks and players have little say about this.”
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Tottenham ask sacked Pochettino to take pay cut on severance package due to coronavirus shutdown
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
