Ajax director Marc Overmars rules out move for Jan Vertonghen

As reported by the Daily Mail, Jan Vertonghen will not be able to seal an emotional return to boyhood club Ajax, as the Dutch giants have ruled out a move for the Tottenham defender.

Vertonghen’s contract with Tottenham was set to expire at the end of this month. And while the Belgian has agreed to a short-term extension till the end of the 2019/20 campaign, his future at the club remains bleak. As a result, a number of clubs have been linked with a move for the 33-year-old, including former club Ajax. (h/t Daily Mail)

Vertonghen spent nine years at the Dutch outfit, having joined their youth setup in 2003, before leaving for Tottenham in 2012. During his time at the club, the defender made 220 appearances, scoring 28 goals and assisting 11 more. He won two Eredivisie titles and two Dutch Cups in the process.

However, the 33-year-old will not be rejoining Ajax this summer. Sporting director Marc Overmars has confirmed that the club will not be making a move, despite having held talks with the defender’s agent. (h/t Daily Mail)

“I did speak to his agent but we made other choices. Jan is no longer a left-back, either. We have confidence in Sven Botman and Lisandro Martínez can also play there.”

Vertonghen has made it clear on quite a few occasions that he is keen on moving on from Tottenham. Even then, there have been efforts from the club to hand him a new contract. But the efforts have proven futile.

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Having joined Tottenham in a £11m deal in 2012, Vertonghen has grown into a defensive stalwart at the club with over 300 appearances under his belt. However, his time at the club seems to be nearing an end. But with a return to Ajax off the table, it remains to be seen where the 33-year-old ends up.