Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen has upped the ante by bringing in a sports lawyer to argue for a 15% share of the fee Ajax will bag from selling him to Tottenham Hotspur.

 

Ajax have agreed a fee with the English side for Vertonghen, with €12M the amount settled upon by both sides. Without the clause being honoured though, the defender is ready to remain at the Amsterdam ArenA next season.

 

While Vertonghen wants to head to White Hart Lane, he believes that a clause in his contract entitles him to 15% of the fee. Ajax meanwhile hold a different view, thinking that the clause only swings into force at a price-point of €20M or above.

 

At present then the situation is deadlocked – and Vertonghen has asked sports lawyer Harro Knijff to investigate, with the expert’s initial thoughts backing up the Belgian.

 

"I come to a different conclusion to Ajax", Knijff told Algemeen Dagblad.

 

"Jan is fully within his rights."

 

Knijff has sent a letter to Ajax informing them of his findings, but the situation is complex, with neither side looking ready to back down.

 

Indeed, sources close to Vertonghen insist that the defender is prepared to see out the final year of his Ajax contract and then move on a free transfer next summer, rather than waive the clause.

 

Vertonghen is due for pre-season training with Ajax on Monday.

 

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