Ajax and Tottenham Hotspur have broken the deadlock in talks over Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen, according to Dutch public TV broadcaster NOS.

 

While Vertonghen’s desire to move to White Hart Lane has been clear for some time, an agreement between Ajax and Spurs to take the defender to London has proved illusive.

 

Talks have been ongoing, but while Ajax were willing to drop their demand for €15M to €12M, Spurs were reluctant to go beyond €10M from their starting point of €8M.

 

Now however the English Premier League side have relented and agreed to pay €12M for Vertonghen.

 

The transfer should now proceed smoothly and allow Vertonghen to avoid reporting for pre-season training in Amsterdam, something he was due to do next Monday.

 

Vertonghen has just one year remaining on his contract with the Eredivisie champions and has been insistent that he is ready for a new challenge and the step up in standard a move to England would bring.

 

Ajax meanwhile will be delighted to have realised €12M for a player who could have left without a fee in 12 months.

 

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