Tottenham have agreed a fee of £2.3 million with AZ Alkmaar for defender Ron Vlaar.
Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a fee of £2.3 million with AZ Alkmaar for defender Ron Vlaar.The 20-year-old, a full Dutch international, has a year and a half left on his contract at the Alkmaarder Hout, but has refused to sign a new deal.
As a result AZ have now decided to cash in on the stopper rather than risk losing him for virtually nothing in 18 months' time.
Vlaar has cut something of an outspoken figure in recent weeks and was fined for disparaging comments made about coach Louis van Gaal after losing his place in Alkmaar's first team.
Ajax were also keen to sign the youngster, dubbed 'The new Jaap Stam' in his homeland, but saw an offer of ‚é¼1 million (£600,000) turned down earlier in the week.
Obviously keen to head off any further interest in the player, Spurs have now stepped in and agreed to meet AZ's valuation.
It means, subject to Vlaar agreeing terms with the North Londoners, that the defender will move to White Hart Lane when the transfer window reopens in January.
He will face strong competition for a place at Spurs with Ledley King, Michael Dawson, Anthony Gardner and Nourredine Naybet all vying for a starting berth in the heart of Martin Jol's rearguard.
