Spurs hope to open fresh contract talks with Toby Alderweireld after his £25million release clause expired on Thursday afternoon.
The Belgian central defender, 30, was expected to be snapped up by Manchester United or one of Europe’s leading clubs for the bargain fee with just a year left on his contract.
Instead the expiration of the clause in his contract means Spurs can now charge a much higher fee to any club trying to sign him.
It still leaves Alderweireld in charge of his Tottenham future. From January he will be able to talk to foreign clubs with just six months remaining on his contract.
But Spurs are hoping he will want to remain part of Mauricio Pochettino’s plans having seen the progress of the club over the past few seasons.
Speaking earlier this week, Alderweireld said: "My focus is on Spurs and I try to deliver the job I need to and I’m happy and that's it.
"Do I think I will still be a Spurs player at the start of the season? That's my focus.
"In football everything can go quickly but all I'm doing is focusing on Spurs and being fit for the start of the season.
"I think the manager knows I am committed to the club and the team but you never know in football."
