 After the winter break, Ajax went on a nine-game unbeaten streak in the league, with Vertonghen playing a key role.Their run of six consecutive clean sheets was ended in a 4–1 home win over PSV when the visiting side were awarded a penalty.Vertonghen was linked with a move to Newcastle United, and later he was also linked with Milan, stating, "I've heard Milan Director Adriano Galliani talk about me after the Champions League match in San Siro and his words were very flattering."