ARSENAL are ready to make a shock free transfer move for defender Jan Vertonghen from arch-rivals Tottenham, claims former England striker Darren Bent.
Gunners boss Unai Emery is looking at the Spurs centre-half to help his problems at the back, he says.
Vertonghen, 32, is out of contract in June.
He can sign a pre-contract with a club outside the UK from January.
Football Insider claim former Tottenham star and boyhood Gunners fan Bent believes Arsenal want the Belgium international.
Bent said: “Jan Vertonghen, playing at the centre of the defence, are there too many more that are going to be better than him? If youre going to take him on a free, Arsenal could do with him.
If hes on a free dont be surprised if theyre in the mix for him as well.
“I think its a situation they need to address but at the same time I wouldnt want to see these players walk away for nothing.
“Its a difficult one, theyre down to a free, theyre obviously not going to sign new contracts so what do you do?
But if Emery expresses an interest, Vertonghen might prefer to stay in North London.
It would be an incredible move on the Belgian’s part, considering the animosity still felt from Spurs fans to another player who moved up the Seven Sisters Road on a free transfer – Sol Campbell.
But Emery knows versatile Vertonghen can also play as a left-back which could increase competition.
He also works well in a back three and would link up with Sokratis and either Rob Holding or David Luiz next season.
Vertonghen’s Spurs and Belgium team-mate Toby Alderweireld was also linked with a summer switch to the Gunners.
He had a 25m release clause but this was not activated by the Gunners in the end, who snapped up Luiz for 8m instead.
