Spurs Fan: Vertonghen to Tottenham “Very Close” to Done Says Ajax Boss

Just when you thought the Jan Vertonghen to Tottenham Hotspur deal had fallen through, the player's current manager offers comments that should give Spurs fans everywhere some hope that the transfer will eventually be completed.

 Over the past 24 hours, reports posted on websites such as Goal.com and The Independent have claimed that the Ajax defender making what has, since the end of the 2011-12 season, been an expected move to Spurs had "hit a snag" and even "fallen through." The problem, as explained in the stories, is that Ajax are apparently refusing to honor a clause in Vertonghen's contract that entitles him to 15 percent of any transfer fee received. Ajax have, since mid-May, been rumored to receive between £9-10m from Spurs for Vertonghen.

 The stories quote Vertonghen as having stated the following when speaking to reporters regarding the matter: "As it looks now, I'll be at Ajax on July 2. I'm hoping for a solution, but I'm not expecting a solution. This is a shame. I thought that it would be sorted out much sooner. I have one advantage: Ajax have got a good coach who knows me. I play in a good, stable squad. Let's become champions with Ajax for the third time in a row."

 It seems, however, that we shouldn't be closing the book on this transfer just yet. According to a report posted on Goal.com on Wednesday morning ET, Ajax boss Frank de Boer remains confident that Vertonghen will end up at White Hart Lane when all is said and done. "We've very close," De Boer told reporters during a Wednesday press conference. "But if the deal is not done, Jan must start his training next week with us. I was in the same situation [when he left Ajax for Barcelona in 1999]. But, eventually, I expect the deal will be done. I expect everything will be alright."

 It was reported back at the beginning of June that Vertonghen, who has repeatedly told anybody who will listen since the middle of May that he wants to join Spurs, was but "days or weeks" away from completing the dream move. The somewhat surprising sacking of manager Harry Redknapp left chairman Daniel Levy with the job of signing a new boss, however, one who would hopefully click with both the team's current stars and also potential targets such as Vertonghen.

 Vertonghen, who is also reportedly coveted by teams such as Arsenal and even Barcelona, seems to be a perfect fit for a Spurs squad that will again be seeking a return to Champions League football during the upcoming season. The current Tottenham back line is filled with far more questions than answers, as Ledley King is ready to call it a career, and rumors continue to swirl regarding the futures of both William Gallas and Michael Dawson. Defender Vedran Corluka completed an expected move to Lokomotiv Moscow on Wednesday.

 The versatile Vertonghen, who turned just 25-years old this past spring, is capable of featuring as a center back and defensive midfielder. He prefers to play in the back line, however, and he has made it clear that he wants first choice football this coming August. That's exactly what he'll get at Spurs regardless of the team's new manager, whoever that man may be. Returning to Ajax for training next week may not be ideal for Vertonghen, but it again looks like his wish will eventually be granted.