Napoli to return to Vertonghen chase?

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Jan Vertonghen is set to agree a new contract with Tottenham, but that may not prevent a move to Napoli next summer.

Tottenham centre-back Jan Vertonghen is reportedly close to agreeing a new deal at White Hart Lane, but his agent has hinted he could still leave if Spurs don’t qualify for next season’s Champions League.

The Belgian international is in talks with Daniel Levy over an improved contract after links with a number of clubs over the summer, including Liverpool, came to nothing.

While Vertonghen may be bound to Tottenham for four years by contract, that may not count for much if the North London outfit don’t book a place in Europe’s top club competition for next season.

“If Tottenham do not qualify for the Champions League this year then we will have to see what happens next summer,” agent Mustapha Nakhil is quoted as saying by the Daily Star.

And Napoli boss Rafa Benitez is known to be a keen admirer of Vertonghen and was repeatedly linked to him in the summer transfer window.

Napoli have had a far from ideal start to the campaign but if the Partenopei can build on last season’s success and grab a Champions League place, they may be an attractive destination for Vertonghen.

Tottenham haven’t made it into the Champions League since 2010 and have seen many top players such as Gareth Bale leave as a result.