Godin to Tottenham, Vertonghen to Inter - A deal that would suit all parties

It's still to be decided when football will return, yet that hasn't stopped the gossip columns from linking a team with a summer move for a player. A huge issue surrounds those whose contracts expire in the coming weeks. While there have been talks over possible short-term deals when football does return after a sufficiently long enough break to counteract the effects of the global Coronavirus pandemic, there has been nothing set in stone as of yet. 

In total, there are 57 Premier League players at the time of writing who are out of contract with their current club this summer. One of those is Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen. The experienced Belgian has been a key player for Spurs following his 2012 arrival from Dutch giants Ajax, yet while compatriot Toby Alderweireld put pen to paper on a new deal in December, Vertonghen hasn't been afforded the same luxury in north London, despite reports suggesting he'd quickly follow in Alderweireld's footsteps. 

And as the days tick towards July 1st, there is no indication that Spurs will elect to extend Vertonghen's contract and a move away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is likely at this point. A return to Ajax is on the cards, so too is a switch to Italy, with Inter boss Antonio Conte believed to be keen on the Belgium international. The Italian boss is no stranger to raiding the Premier League to boost his squad, noted in the arrivals of Romelu Lukaku, Ashley Young and Vertonghen's former Ajax and Spurs teammate Christian Eriksen, while former Chelsea man Victor Moses secured a switch to the Serie A side in January. 

Conte favours a three-man defensive setup and Vertonghen's versatility at the back - not only can he play as the left centre-back, but also at left-back - is a quality that the former Chelsea boss would appreciate in Milan. A consistent, experienced partner alongside Milan Skriniar and Stefan de Vrij would also benefit Inter, even with the availability of Diego Godin to feature at the back. 

The experienced Uruguayan only joined Inter last summer, penning a three-year deal following his departure from Atletico, and yet a move away from Milan has been mooted less than a year after his arrival. Godin has made just 12 league starts under Conte this season and the defender would have favoured a more prominent role in this Inter side on the back of his transfer. 

Yet, Inter's Serie A win ratio drops to 50% from 76.9% when he has started this season and the opportunity to shift an ageing star would be one welcomed by Conte. By chance, Spurs have been linked with a move for Godin as Jose Mourinho gears up for his first full summer at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium helm and the opportunity to stamp his authority on the squad. While there are a number of problem positions that need work, at the heart of the defence is where Spurs have struggled time and time again this season. 

The north London side have committed seven errors leading to an opposition goal this season, by no means the worst return in the Premier League (Aston Villa, with 10), yet no team has kept fewer clean sheets than the north London side (4) in England's top tier this term. A lack of leadership at the back has often cost Spurs this season, despite the experienced Alderweireld's injury-free campaign. Godin would bring that aspect and then some to the Spurs squad having captained Atletico during one of their most successful periods in their history. 

He may have lost a yard of pace at the ripe old age of 34, yet it's the mental fortitude that Spurs are desperately lacking that adds to his appeal. Mourinho has at times favoured a three-man defensive setup with Eric Dier at the heart of the back three, yet the team would benefit tremendously from a player of Godin's ilk in defence. 

A WhoScored rating of 6.95 may be far from his best in a league campaign, but he is the commanding presence required to shore up a backline that has conceded 40 league goals this season, that the same number as relegation threatened Brighton. For a team that still harbours top-four aspirations this season, it's a record that needs improvement. And given his pragmatic, dogged approach, which suits a Mourinho side, Godin is the ideal fit for Spurs. 

Combined with Inter's interest in Vertonghen, Spurs can use this to their advantage. Godin is the better defender of the two, yet the former would suit Conte's system better than the latter. 3.4 clearances per 90 is marginally higher than Vertonghen (3.2), while Godin's reading of the game has seen him average of 2.4 interceptions per 90 - again, higher than Vertonghen (1.8). There is clearly life in the old dog, yet. 

Now being the wrong age of 30 would be detrimental for a centre-back in a new environment, yet if he is dropped in at the heart of the three-man defence, then his speed of thought, which hasn't diminished, would be of far greater importance then a lack of pace. This aforementioned reading of the game would be a huge weapon in Mourinho's arsenal, especially if he does persist with a three-man setup. 

What's more, a willingness to whip others into shape and not avoid confrontation would boost Spurs' sieve-esque defensive resolve, with Godin the ideal mouthpiece for the team on the pitch. In Italy, in terms of player-for-player, Inter would be downgrading were they to swap Godin for Vertonghen, yet as a system player, the Belgian is a far better fit than his Uruguayan counterpart for Conte's side. 

If or when - delete as appropriate - this deal does come to fruition, then it is one that ticks all the boxes for all parties. If Spurs can get a deal for Godin over the line, then they land the serial winner they so desperately need and Conte gets his hands on a defender who would be an ideal solution to Inter's defensive woes in a three-man defence.