Former Premier League striker Kevin Phillips has told Jan Vertonghen to leave Tottenham Hotspur this summer, per Football Insider.
What’s he said?
The defender has a contract that expires in the summer.
Ajax manager Erik Ten Hag has already confirmed that the Dutch giants are interested in signing him should he become available in the next transfer window.
Vertonghen was, of course, substituted against Southampton in their FA Cup fourth-round replay, leading to a dejected reaction from the 32-year-old.
And Phillips believes the time has come for him to call time on his Spurs career.
He said: “You saw the reaction of Vertonghen when he came off in the last game.
“He wasn’t happy. You could just see he was in dismay.
“He’s been a good servant for the club, but it might be just time for him to move on and fresh blood to come in.”
Spot on
Phillips has nailed this.
Vertonghen is coming to a fork in the road, with his contract expiring and there being interest from his former club in bringing him back.
The big fat Tottenham quiz of 2019 – how much do you remember about the last year at Spurs?
An exit from Spurs this summer would hardly be earth-shattering given the publicity surrounding his contractual situation.
But Spurs need to bring in younger blood in the summer.
Vertonghen is 32 and will turn 33 in April, while Toby Alderweireld, his usual defensive partner, is 30 and will be 31 next month.
A younger defender is required this summer, regardless of Vertonghen’s future.
Meanwhile, Spurs targeted this striker in January!