Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is plotting a stunning last minute swoop to bring Ajax captain Jan Vertonghen to the Emirates Stadium according to reports.

The Belgian international has been courted for some time by Wenger who is in need to defensive reinforcements after seeing his back four savaged by injuries this season. That coupled with the struggles of Per Mertesacker during his debut campaign in the Premier League has prompted the Gunners chief to uncharacteristically dip his toes into the transfer market.

Vertonghen, who was appointed captain by Ajax boss Frank De Boer last year, has spent his entire career at the Amsterdam Arena making over 200 appearances and was the subject of interest from Arsenal in the summer. The Eredivisie champions managed to rebuff Wenger’s first attempts to sign the versatile defender but might not have much luck second time around.

With a considerable bank balance sitting untapped within the Emirates bank vault the Frenchman is willing to spend big to capture the 24-year-old left footer of who can operate in central defence, full back and midfield. Ajax value Vertonghen at the £10 million mark but with less than a week left before the transfer window closes they may steadily increase that valuation in an effort to keep him in Holland.

Wenger is prepared to spend large chunk of his budget to secure his services and partner him with fellow Belgian Thomas Vermaelen at the heart of Arsenal’s defence. The pair played together during Vermaelen’s time at Ajax and the prospect of forging a partnership with him in North London could appeal to Vertonghen who has also courted interest from rivals Manchester United and Newcastle.

1. Eugene Danso

   5:34 PM on January 26, 2012

   Another piece of thrash. It wouldn’t happen. AW will never buy.

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2. Sunkie

   6:08 PM on January 26, 2012

   Y not christopher samba?

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3. atid

   6:10 PM on January 26, 2012

   Or perhaps they will link up on the left side.of defence like they did for ajax with the.big man at centre back and tv5 at left back. one half of the dfence belgian and the other half french. it makes sense sagna koscielny vertonghen vermaelen. the belgian double could encourage the signing of the one we all want compatriot cousin and best mate eden hazard. if we somehow pulled those 2 in this winter i am sure rvp would be only to happy to sign especially if we added van der weil huntelaar samba baines mvila and podolski in the summer. we could then sell almunia fabianski hoyte djourou squillaci botelho denilson diaby rosicky benayoun arshavin park chamakh bendtner murphy and vela. 16 out and 8 in reducing the wage bill in the process.

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4. talib

   7:02 PM on January 26, 2012

   It a big joke from wenger , he would keep russian empty bullet rather then buy new player , this is something a big joke of the years , he will never any player during 2012 jan window as he is making huge money from kronker now just save money i paid u bonus . as old man of the team he would rather push stupid young player fighting on , he bring henry just to show he get one player during jan window and this actually not giving any improve sign . end of the day wenger is covering his mistake and make false statement on OX

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5. talib

   7:05 PM on January 26, 2012

   wenger don’t buy any player this window but please get out from the arsenal camp ASAP. you are no longer need buy the fan of gooner as we know now MADRID is your new home , so please ask mourinho to come here

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6. Edwin

   8:05 PM on January 26, 2012

   ds mks a gd read at it’s 2 gd 2b real,lyk nigerian govt,i do nt trust wenger

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7. Ibrahim taiwo igwe

   8:33 PM on January 26, 2012

   This is what we need {jan} remember the uefa and top 4 we have a long way 2 go. Use money 4 gold.

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8. Emma

   8:34 PM on January 26, 2012

   Its time wenger realise he has to have a back-up plan, cos if players like RVP,alex etc are off. GOD help him

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9. tonyuzor

   9:03 PM on January 26, 2012

   wenger should do something now for tomorow.u;r allways making a mistakes by selling ur key players all the time.look back the last time u play unbeating, do u have boy’s or men?u know how to build and how to destroyed.if u like go out for men.

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10. Cass

    10:42 PM on January 26, 2012

    Believe it when i read/see it!

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11. dougfc

    1:55 AM on January 27, 2012

    On behalf of Wenger, I humbly advise all that there will be: NO BUYS THIS WINTER! so leave with it or find another club to cheer for. Note: if you “the fan” have such a BIG MOUTH then match it with a $1million donation to Arsenal.com! No one forces you to buy match tickets. This is from Douglas of the beautiful Fiji Islands to all the ingrates out there!

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12. Srinivas Kotian

    4:38 AM on January 27, 2012

    get rid of Almunia, Bendtner, Denilson, Arshavin, Chamak, Walcot, Rosicky, Squilaci, Vela in the summer window and replace with top quality players of proven record(not boys). Will Wenger do this?. Buying cheap players has landed the team in this situation.

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13. Teshome harar

    8:44 AM on January 27, 2012

    I want see Jan Vertonghen in Emirates Stadium with the partner of T.Vermalen. He is enough performance for Arsenal.
    Please A.Wenger sign him by any means and include Eden Hazard,K.Benzema,Swansea City defender Neil Taylor,in a January transfer.

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14. adam

    10:21 AM on January 27, 2012

    the guys is class. ajax produce good players and normally world class.

    van der weil off to chelsea. erikson prbs manu.

    please sign him aw

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15. TAR

    11:41 AM on January 27, 2012

    “according to reports” b . u . l . l….

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16. Danny

    12:15 PM on January 28, 2012

    Is Hazard on his way too?

    http://footy-bible.co.uk/arsenal-transfer-rumours-arsenal-to-offer-lille-walcott-and-rosicky-for-hazard

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