Jan Vertonghen: Looks set remain with Spurs

Jan Vertonghen insists he wants to remain with Tottenham and has confirmed he has been offered a new five-year contract to remain with the north London club.

The Belgian has been linked with a move to Barcelona who are in the market for a centre-back following the retirement of veteran Carlos Puyol.

But Vertonghen appears to have ruled out a departure from White Hart Lane this summer and has indicated he is ready to follow Hugo Lloris’ lead and sign a new deal with the club.

"It goes without saying that I would like to stay at Tottenham Hotspur,” he told Belgian station Radio 1.

“I still had a contract for four years. They offered me new contract of five years, I see as great sign of confidence."

Vertonghen has been a mainstay in Tottenham’s back four since his arrival from Ajax in the summer of 2012.

He made 49 appearances in all competitions in his first year with the club and his stellar performances saw him named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year that season.

It is thought the new contract offer tabled by Tottenham would see the central defender receive a significant rise on his reported £45,000 weekly wage.

The 27-year-old has yet to return to pre-season training with Spurs following his participation in this summer’s World Cup for Belgium.

Vertonghen revealed he went into the tournament nursing an ankle knock and explained he wants to be cautious with the injury to avoid missing games for Spurs next season.

“I walked in the World Cup match against Argentina on an ankle injury," he said.

“I want to be careful, because season like previous one where I jogged from one injury to another I absolutely want to avoid."