Tottenham Transfer News: The Latest on the Jan Vertonghen Saga

The saga of Tottenham's acquirement of Jan Vertonghen has run into a problem.

Vertonghen has been linked to moves involving multiple other English clubs for the past few months, most notably Arsenal.  However, the Belgian centre defender, and 2012 Dutch footballer of the year, seems to have decided that White Hart Lane will be his destination.

With Tottenham currently without a manager and lacking Champions League football next season, the decision seems a bit strange for a superstar with such potential as Vertonghen. Still, Vertonghen seemed set to make the move weeks ago.

Now, the transfer has hit a problem because of Vertonghen's contract with his current club Ajax.

Vertonghen's contract reportedly calls for him to receive 15 percent of the transfer fee that Tottenham will pay to Ajax, a number the Dutch club is unhappy with.

In an interview with De Telegraaf (via ESPN), Ajax financial director Jeroen Slop said:

"We all hoped for a rapid agreement between Tottenham and Ajax and Tottenham and Jan Vertonghen.  It's in its final stage, but in our opinion there is still no concrete news."

Meanwhile, Vertonghen's agent, Mustapha Nakhli said in the same article:

"Jan Vertonghen has always stood by Ajax, and he expects that the club does the same."

Earlier today, writer Mohamed Moallim (@jouracule), who covers Dutch football for the magazine FourFourTwo, tweeted:

"A transfer fee agreed, Vertonghen is entitled to 15%, Ajax want it lowered. If it breaks down, 'happily' stay & move to Spurs (free) next yr"

"Agent says contract must be honoured, Vertonghen one of the lowest earners, sees it as compensation. Ajax hopeful transfer can be concluded."

The Spurs should want to get the deal done as soon as possible, and especially before next season. After all, given the state of flux that the club is currently in, Vertonghen may decide it wiser to go somewhere else at any moment.

There is almost nothing Tottenham can do about this situation, but Vertonghen's contract, and Ajax's desire not to honor it, may be a road block in getting the Spurs their man.

For the latest news on Tottenham and more, follow me on Twitter:  @Fw1812