Jan Vertonghen looks close to becoming the next player to sign a contract extension with Tottenham Hotspur. Yet as the club secures one signature, club captain Hugo Lloris and top scorer Harry Kane put their talks on hold.
Vertonghen won't hit six figure sum that Kane and Lloris desire
It is understood that Daniel Levy’s stubbornness to move away from his strict wage structure is the reason that the talks gave broken down. Vertonghen is currently on a £60,000 a week contract, expiring in 2018, but it is understood that he will receive a substantial pay rise putting him in with the top earners at the club.
However, the goalkeeper and striker have had troubles with Levy’s unwillingness to pay them over £100,000 a week. Kane is reportedly on a £60,000 a week contract but is demanding a contract at least as good as the £100,000 a week deal Jamie Vardy signed with Leicester in the summer. Yet with a new stadium on it’s way Levy is keeping his accounts in order.
Earlier in the season Spurs saw Eric Dier, Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Danny Rose and Kyle Walker sign new contracts, as manager Mauricio Pochettino revealed that the club now only give contracts to players who ask for them.
Lloris's contract is set to expire in 2019 while Kane's committed to the club until 2021.
Should Lloris and Kane be exceptions?
It is well known that Daniel Levy is not a big spender and that the wages at Spurs do not compare to rival Premier League clubs. With Levy time and time again not wanting to go over the £100,000 mark when it comes to wages should he make an exception for Tottenham’s top scorer and captain?
The two players are vital to the club. Harry Kane’s recent injury has highlighted the lack of threat Tottenham pose in front of goal without their main man, while Hugo Lloris has been an anchor at the opposite end of the pitch, and as a captain. However, if Levy does make the exceptions then his whole structure will essentially fall apart. It could open up problems in the future with other players who believe that they deserve the same pay as Kane and Lloris. In addition the cost of the new stadium makes it more difficult for Tottenham to have a massive wage bill.