De Boer: Vertonghen Deal Almost Done

Ajax manager Frank de Boer insists Jan Vertonghen will still join Tottenham, despite reports suggesting the move had stalled.

The Belgian defender has been waiting patiently for Spurs and Ajax to agree a deal that would see him make the switch to North London this summer.

Reports on Wednesday claimed the deal was on the brink of collapse over a disagreement over whether Vertonghen was due 15% of the transfer fee, and if so, who would pay it.

However, boss de Boer has been quoted in the Mirror as saying that the £10m deal is still on track and he fully expects the move to go through in the end.

“We’re very close. But if the deal isn’t done, Jan must start his training next week with us.

“I was in the same situation [when he left Ajax for Barcelona in 1999].

“But, eventually, I expect the deal will be done. I expect everything will be all right.”

FT Verdict

Vertonghen has made it clear he want’s the move to White Hart Lane and the two clubs appear to have agreed a fee. All that remains is to sort out the issue over who pays the player his cut of the transfer fee.

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Sometimes transfers can be held up by these sort of things, so like de Boer, I’m confident the deal will get done in the end. It just might take a little longer than initially thought.