Jan Vertonghen: Tottenham defender is happy and settled but will not sign a new deal

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

The 27-year-old, who has four years remaining on his current deal, held positive discussions with the club via his agent Mustapha Nakhli, who told Sky Sports earlier this month that they were close to reaching an agreement.

But the Belgium international, who has lost his place in the first team in recent weeks, said: “I am not signing. We agreed not to and I would prefer not to say why.

“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.”

When contacted by Sky Sports, Nakhli also declined to comment on the exact reason for his client pulling out of the proposed new deal.

Nakhli stated publicly in the summer that a number of top European clubs were chasing Vertonghen, but Sky Sports reported that Tottenham would not sell the versatile defender and they received no offers during the window.

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Vertonghen has repeatedly stated he is happy at White Hart Lane but recently missed out on the club captaincy, which was handed to fellow centre-half Younes Kaboul, with Hugo Lloris and Emmanuel Adebayor named vice captains.

He was also dropped for the recent Premier League games against Sunderland and West Brom, in which Spurs disappointingly threw away a winning position in the north east before losing 1-0 at home to the Baggies.

“The squad is very big and you have to work hard to play every game. I hope I am playing again soon," Vertonghen said.

“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.

“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.”