The 24-year-old has earned rave reviews for his assured performances for the Amsterdam club and recently celebrated winning the his first league title.The talented central defender has been linked with a number of clubs in recent weeks with Italian giants AC Milan said to be chasing his signature while Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is also an admirer.
The Italian was present at the KNVB Cup Final and was said to be watching Vertonghen in action as Ajax were beaten 3-2 by FC Twente. Should he decide to choose Eastlands then he would be paired with fellow Begium international Vincent Kompany.
However, Arsenal still remain the favourites to land the defender who enjoyed a successful partnership with Thomas Vermaelen when the pair were together at Ajax.
The Belgium ace has admitted that he would be attracted to the Premier League after hearing positive review from former Ajax striker Luis Suarez who has enjoyed a successful start to his career in England.
"I have something with England — especially with the nostalgic atmosphere around the football," Vertonghen told The Sun. "If I could make the step then I would prefer to play in a footballing team but I won't go to a club where I am given the task to play the long ball.
"My goal for this season was to play a stable season with 25 to 30 games on a constant basis. That's how I saw my development and broadly it has been like that. Now this is the first year I would consider a possible transfer.
"It's utopian to think players can be kept in Holland until they are 27. It is all fantastic stories from the guys who play in a foreign league. I hear them from Luis Suarez but also from six or seven players from the Belgian national team."
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is keen to strengthen his defence after having problems at the back with Vermaelen missing the majority of the campaign while Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci have struggle to cope with life in the Premiership.
www.sportsvibe.co.uk
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