Tottenham Hotspur have the option to extend the contracts of Mousa Dembele and Jan Vertonghen by an extra 12 months, according to The London Evening Standard.
Both of the Belgium internationals are contracted with Spurs until the summer of 2019, but talk in the press of late has circulated that the pair could be offered improved terms.
Much has been made of Toby Alderweireld not-yet extending his stay at Tottenham, with it widely acknowledged that the club can activate a clause that pushes his tenure in North London out by 12 further months.
The latest report states that Spurs can do the same with Dembele and Vertonghen, which will be music to the supporters’ ears.
While the Belgian pair are two of the older heads in a young Tottenham squad, their importance in the first team cannot be overstated.
Dembele has been imperious in recent weeks, with no coincidence that the talismanic midfielder’s return to form and fitness has coincided with a winning run for the side.
Vertonghen has held things together at the back in Alderweireld’s absence and continues to be a leader for Tottenham.
If Spurs can extend the duo’s current contracts by 12 months apiece, this is an option that Daniel Levy will surely not have to think too long or hard about.
However, given that both players have been long-term and at-times unheralded members of the Tottenham ranks, drawing up new contracts with higher wages would be the fitting way to reward both Dembele and Vertonghen.