Vertonghen praises Eriksen; Holloway ready for January spending spree

Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen has heaped praise on former Ajax Amsterdam team-mate Christian Eriksen, insisting that the 20-year-old Denmark international would fit in well at White Hart Lane, Sky Sports understands.

Vertonghen and Eriksen teamed up for two years at the Amsterdam Arena before the Belgian decided to take his talents to North London in July 2012.

Eriksen has been linked with a bevy of clubs in recent months, with Manchester City and Manchester United reported suitors of the Danish ace, but you could probably add Tottenham to that list.

“Technically, he’s one of the best players I’ve played with,” Vertonghen told the Evening Standard.

“He can use his right foot and his left foot equally well and he is always fit.

“Since he was 17 or 18 he has played so many games for Ajax and hardly ever been injured. When he gains a bit more physical strength, then I think he can play in any team.

“I don’t want to speak for him but he is a good player, and I think a good player can play here.”

Furthermore, Tottenham have been linked with Shakhtar Donetsk midfield trio Williian, Douglas Costa and Fernandinho, with the Ukrainian Premier League giants having rejected an offer of £11.9 million from Spurs for Willian in the summer, according to the Ukrainian side’s CEO Sergei Palkin.

However, Spurs have recently told Andre Villas-Boas that he cannot spend ‘big’ when the transfer window reopens in January, despite the Portuguese’s heavy interest in bringing FC Porto star João Moutinho to the English Premier League.

Eriksen, Moutinho and Willian are likely to cost Spurs well over £20 million apiece, which could price out the North Londoners unless they implement a sell-then-buy transfer policy come January.

Holloway ready for January spending spree

Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway ‘can’t wait’ till the turn of the New Year, which will present him with a chance to strengthen his squad, which is currently two points adrift of table-toppers Cardiff City in the English Championship table, Sky Sports reports.

Palace should be top-of-the-table, but remain two points off the pace after giving up a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at Birmingham City on Saturday.

Holloway likes his current squad a great deal, but would love to add one or two more ‘threatening’ players in January.

“I’m delighted this group looks as good as they are,” insisted Holloway.

“I can’t wait for January to try to help them by adding one or two players to make us even more threatening. I have been compiling my shopping list.”