Jan Vertonghen Hints at Move to Spain or Italy as He Considers 'Serious' Contract Offers

With football under lock and key until at least mid-May in the most optimistic circumstances, you might forgive clubs for taking one eye off the ball with regards to transfers. 

According to ​Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen, however, it's quite the opposite. 

The Belgian defender is out of contract in the summer, and there is a growing expectation he will leave after reports claimed last month that Spurs have been ​unable to agree an extension on his current terms.

But while the Covid-19 lockdown has brought about a state of financial turmoil that threatens to derail any big-money deals this summer, players in Vertonghen's situation - available on a free from June - are in even greater demand than normal.

And the 33-year-old has given a hint that the increased interest in his signature might well lead him to Spain or Italy. 

​"The lockdown has brought a lot of uncertainty to the transfer market and it has only had a positive effect on interest," he said, as per the ​Evening Standard. 

"I'm free and many clubs don't have the money to do transfers. Free players like me are even more coveted in the coronavirus crisis. Since January, a number of clubs have come forward with serious proposals.

"I want to continue at the top level for a few more years and I would like to play European football next season. The Spanish and Italian leagues are the most obvious for the time being, but I will keep all options open."

In line with their campaign to sign every Premier League player over the age of 30, Inter are one side ​said to be in the mix for Vertonghen, while it's unclear where Spanish interest could be coming from. 

Atlético Madrid seem like a reasonable educated guess, while Barcelona might be on the lookout for a budget option should Samuel Umtiti depart for the Premier League. Arsenal, Manchester United and ​most recently Chelsea have all been linked.

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