Jan Vertonghen
Jan Vertonghen Reuters

Barcelona are planning a massive summer clear out and according to reports in Spain they have earmarked Tottenham Hotspur's Jan Vertonghen as Carlos Puyol's replacement after the Spanish legend confirmed he will leave the Camp Nou at the end of the season.

After agreeing terms to sign Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and Croatian starlet Alen Halilovic the Spanish giant's next move will be to sign a centre-back, a search heightened by Puyol's imminent departure.

Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo reports that Vertonghen features on a short-list of potential targets that also includes Chelsea's David Luiz, Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels, Villarreal's Mateo Musacchio, and La Liga youngsters Inigo Martinez and Aymeric Laporte.

Barcelona have reportedly considered Vertonghen for some time as they value his ability to build the game from the back and his versatility to play both as a centre-back and on the left flank.

Despite the Belgium international being a key player for Tottenham, Spurs could struggle to retain his services this summer after he recently opened the door to a move should Tim Sherwood's side fail to secure Champions League football for next season.

"Those are always difficult questions. What I want is to be playing in the Champions League with Tottenham, so I hope we get in this year," Vertonghen said.

"Do I have a decision to make if we don't? I can't say anything about that. Let's see after the end of the season, after the World Cup. I can't say anything about that so let's see after the end of the season and after the World Cup."

The 26-year old defender moved to North London from Ajax in the summer of 2012, looking to make a step forward in his career. However, he is yet to experience Champions League football with Tottenham and Spurs' chances of securing a Premier League top four spot this season are slim once again.

Sherwood's side are fifth in the table, four points off Manchester City, who still have two games in hand and still have face daunting fixtures against Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool this month.