Napoli and Ajax are ready to move for Jan Vertonghen and tempt Tottenham into selling the Belgium centre-back before losing him on a free transfer in the summer.

The 32-year-old’s deal at Spurs expires in the summer and he can now talk to foreign clubs about a pre-contract for next season.

But Napoli are prepared to bring him to Italy in the current January window, after failing with an approach last summer.

Gennaro Gattuso wants a centre-back for the second half of the campaign as he looks to climb the Serie A table following the dismissal of Carlo Ancelotti.

Ajax are also interested in re-signing Vertonghen seven years after selling him to Spurs in a £12million deal.