https://www.telegraph.co.uk/footbal...r-notebook-napoli-ajax-ready-move-tottenhams/
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.
Vertonghen was a youth-team player at Ajax after starting out in Belgium, with his former club assessing their options at centre-back as Daley Blind has been diagnosed with a heart condition.
Vertonghen has been operating at both left-back and centre-back under Jose Mourinho and has been firmly in the Spurs manager’s plans but there has been no breakthrough on contract talks.
Mourinho is looking for defensive cover in the window, regardless of Vertonghen’s future, and also wants back-up for Harry Kane in attack.
Tottenham lead January transfer chase for West Brom whizkid Nathan Ferguson
Nathan Ferguson has emerged as the latest young star from West Brom's academy, but is still to sign a new contract amid Premier League interest
Tottenham are leading the chase for West Brom youngster Nathan Ferguson, with the Baggies potentially set to be forced to cash in on a player also eyed by
Crystal Palace this month.
The 19 year-old has made a major impression at the Hawthorns this term, starring for Slaven Bilic’s promotion hopefuls.
Ferguson has made 20 appearances so far in the Championship, having been pushed into the first-team following Bilic’s arrival last summer.
The Croatian switched Ferguson to right back, and the Birmingham-born teenager has emerged as a key figure for the Baggies.
However, his contract expires in the summer, and despite being offered a new five-year deal, is still yet to put pen-to-paper.
Scouts from Premier League clubs and members of Europe’s elite have been monitoring his progress.
Tottenham have been keeping tabs on Ferguson, making a number of checks on his progress throughout the season so far and are in the market for full-backs.
Crystal Palace are themselves still looking for a long-term replacement for Aaron Wan-Bissaka while AC Milan scouts were in attendance in the West Midlands for a Championship fixture last month too.
Albion’s hand has been severely weakened with Ferguson now eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club ahead of the summer.
Should that happen West Brom will once more find themselves out of pocket, with FIFA rules stating that they would be entitled to no more than £300,000.
Sporting director Luke Dowling admitted over the weekend that West Brom want ‘clarity’ over his future.
"We will be looking for clarity from Nathan Ferguson and his advisor about whether or not he wants to stay with us." Dowling said.
"All I can say at this stage is that I am confident we can find the terms that would make sense to Nathan at his stage of his career - and that we all believe that his pathway at Albion remains the most advantageous to him."