Jan Vertonghen’s agent says the defender could still remain at Tottenham Hotspur despite his contract expiring in the summer, per Het Laatste Nieuws via Sky Sports.

What’s he said?

The Belgium international was substituted in midweek in the club’s FA Cup fourth-round replay against Southampton.

Pictures subsequently showed him looking crestfallen on the bench.

Tom de Mul, his agent, says that such an emotional reaction was not pointing towards an exit from the club, however, and insists he could still sign a new deal in north London.

He said: “At the moment, we have no agreement, but we’re not ruling anything out. We’re open to everything.

“There is a lot of interest for Jan, certainly on a free transfer, but Tottenham also remain an interesting option for us.

“The door is still open.”

The big fat Tottenham quiz of 2019 – how much do you remember about the last year at Spurs?

Ageing

One has to wonder if keeping Vertonghen is the best option for Spurs.

He is 32 and while he remains a key member of Jose Mourinho’s squad – he has made 22 appearances in all competitions this season – he has shown signs that time may be catching up with him.

Against Southampton, he was constantly exposed by the pace of the Saints frontline and he has endured an up-and-down season, reaching a nadir of a 6.16 rating against Arsenal in the Premier League and a zenith of 8.78 against Burnley, per WhoScored.

With Davinson Sanchez at the club, and just 23, one has to wonder if the time has come to phase Vertonghen out.

That may involve moving him on at the end of the season and, really, it is no fault of his own.

There is just a better option already available.

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