Toby Alderweireld has told friends that he wants to join Tottenham Hotspur. The Belgium defender spent last season on loan from Atlético Madrid at Southampton and he has been pursued by the south-coast club, who believe that they have an agreement to sign him on a permanent basis. But the 26-year-old has indicated that he prefers a move to Tottenham.
Alderweireld is attracted by the prospect of partnering his international team-mate, Jan Vertonghen, in central defence at White Hart Lane while he considers Tottenham to be the surer bet for regular European football.
He would also be able to fly home more easily from London – there are direct flights to Deurne, the small airport that serves his hometown of Antwerp.
Tottenham have agreed a fee in principle with Atlético of €16m (£11.4m ) and they are confident of reaching agreement with Alderweireld on a five-year contract.
He joined Atlético from Ajax in September 2013 for €8m and the doubling of his value owes much to his excellent performances for Southampton.
The situation has become complicated because of a clause in Alderweireld’s loan deal at Southampton, which gave the club the option to make his transfer permanent for €8m – unless Atlético paid them €2m to cancel the arrangement.
Atlético failed to meet the deadline for the payment and Southampton have been left angry and threatening legal action.
The reality is that if Southampton lack the will of the player, it is impractical for them to force him to come to them. It is more likely that they will come to a financial settlement related to their loss of the €2m. Southampton are prepared to rival Tottenham’s €16m bid but it remains to be seen whether that would sway matters.
Alderweireld, for his part, is keen for an amicable solution, as he recognises that he owes Southampton for helping to reignite his career after he had struggled at Atlético.
He is also determined to get things resolved quickly, so that he can enjoy a full pre-season at the club where he will play. He has moved on transfer deadline day in each of the past two summers.
Southampton have completed the signing of the versatile defender, Cuco Martinez, from FC Twente on a two-year contract.
He arrives as the first-choice left-back, Ryan Bertrand, is out for a number of weeks after knee surgery. Martinez’s natural position, though, is right-back.
