Spurs target Joel Veltman signs new deal at Ajax

Amsterdam, August 2: Spurs have had a surprisingly quiet transfer window so far and are yet to add a single player to their squad that finished runners up in the Premier League last season.

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The Lilywhites suffered a further blow with one of their primary targets Joel Veltman making it clear that he is not moving this summer.

Veltman, who has been serving Dutch giants Ajax for quite some time now and was also awarded the captain's armband, has committed his future to the Amsterdam club signing a new contract which will act as a major blow to Mauricio Pochettino.

Veltman has signed a three-year contract extension with the Eredivisie giants. The 25-year-old defender's previous deal in Amsterdam was due to expire next year but he is now set to remain with his boyhood club until June 2020.

The Dutch international Veltman has made 166 appearances for Ajax till date and won the Eredivisie title in 2012-13 and 2013-14.

Spurs have a shortage of options in their defensive ranks. Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Kevin Wimmer being the only three options at the heart of the defence. With the departure of Kyle Walker to Manchester City, they also need a new right-back.

Veltman is a versatile defender who can play either at centre-back and right-back and also shares a good relationship with Alderweireld, Vertonghen and Christian Eriksen who used to be his teammates at the Amsterdam Arena once.

Veltman was superb for Ajax last season particularly in the Dutch side's long run in the Europa League that lasted till the final where they were beaten by Manchester United

Spurs boss Pochettino was believed to be a keen admirer of the defender. However, the Argentine manager must look elsewhere now.

Ajax have also signed former Feyenoord and Willem II goalkeeper Kostas Lamprou on a free transfer and are looking forward to having a successful season ahead.

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