Tottenham defender finally set to extend contract beyond the end of the season

Jan Vertonghen has confirmed Tottenham will take up their option to extend his contract by another season, ending any chance of him leaving for nothing at the end of the current campaign.

The defender will technically be out of contract at the end of 2018/19, but he has now confirmed Spurs will almost certainly trigger a one-year extension included in his deal.

What’s more, Vertonghen is keen to extend his contract beyond the summer of 2020.

“I’ve got a contract until 2020 – there’s an option and Tottenham will take that option,” the Belgian told the London Evening Standard.

“So I’ve got a year and a half left and then we’ll see. The way I feel now, I’ve got at least four to five good years left in the tank.

“There are no talks [with the club], but that’s something to discuss. At the moment I feel great at Tottenham. It’s a club with unbelievable potential – not just the players but everything around it. Everyone wants to be part of it.”

Vertonghen has developed into one of Europe’s top centre-backs under Mauricio Pochettino’s management and was named Spurs’ player of the season in 2017/18.

He has struck up an impressive partnership with his countryman Toby Alderweireld, who is also out of contract at the end of this term.

Alderweireld’s situation is a little more complicated. His current deal also has a one-year extension option, but taking up that option will trigger a £25 million release clause that can be met in the final two weeks of the next summer transfer window.

Tottenham fans will be hoping the club can sort out the futures of both players sooner rather than later.