Howedes will be his replacement, in an ideal world. Howedes if a left footed CB, who is better than Vertonghen and with his buyout clause of 18m, it should be a wash in spending. If Howedes doesn't have that 18m buyout clause then no way will we get him.
Not sure where all of this Howedes talk is coming from. All signs point to him being very happy at Schalke, having been there since 2001. He is also their club captain. He has spoken of leaving at some point, but I can't see him leaving Schalke for the time being. He is also right footed.