Tottenham Defender Jan Vertonghen Rejects New Contract Offer

Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen has decided not to sign a new contract with the north London club.

Vertonghen's agent Mustapha Nakhli, only recently said that the player had held positive talks with the club and was close to signing a new five-year deal.

But the 27-year-old defender, who has four years remaining on his current deal has decided not to extend his contract. He reiterated that he is happy at the club and hopes that the club are happy with him.

"I am not signing. We agreed not to and I would prefer not to say why," Vertonghen said, as quoted on Sky Sports.

"I still have four years left. I am very happy at the club and I think they are happy with me. That's where it ends," the Belgian international added.

The Belgian defender recently lost his place in the team and missed out on the captaincy at Spurs after it was handed to Younes Kaboul, with Hugo Lloris and Emmanuel Adebayor named vice-captains.

He was dropped for the games against Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion, but hopes to be back playing again soon. The defender revealed that he wants to play every game, but understands that he has to work hard as competition for places are tough.

"The squad is very big and you have to work hard to play every game. I hope I am playing again soon," the former Ajax captain remarked.

"I want to play in every game on the weekends and midweek. I want to play in the biggest games - that is what you are a footballer for."

Spurs have a host of central defenders at their disposal, and Vertonghen understands that the manager can only choose two. The defender has also complimented manager Mauricio Pochettino on his approach to his new job.

"We have got a lot of centre-backs now and we are fighting for two places with those guys. Everyone has to be just that little bit better so the manager chooses them."

"It is good under the new manager. He is working well and individually talks a lot with the players. He expects a lot, we work hard and that is good – it will pay off in the end I think," Vertonghen concluded.

The Belgian international, who joined from Ajax in 2012 has been a key part of the Spurs squad in the last two seasons and his performances have attracted interest from various top European clubs including Barcelona.