Toby Alderweireld, who has so impressed at Southampton this season, would welcome interest from Tottenham Hotspur.
The Belgian international helped Atletico Madrid win La Liga title last term, playing a dozen times, and also played his part as they reached the UEFA Champions League final. However, Diego Simeone was content to let the centre-half leave the Vicente Calderon in the summer, when he linked up with the Saints on a season-long loan deal.
Ronald Koeman’s side also secured an option to sign Alderweireld on a permanent transfer for just £6.8million, although Atletico can buy out that clause for £1.5million which would in turn allow them to sell him to the highest bidder. And due to the 26-year-old’s performances in the Premier League, he is unlikely to be short of offers for his services.
A number of clubs – including league leaders Chelsea and reigning champions Manchester City – have been linked with the former Ajax star, who has won 43 caps for his county and played in the World Cup Finals in Brazil last summer. However, Alderweireld has revealed a desire to join Spurs, where he would link up with his compatriot Jan Vertonghen.
“I would like to play with Jan Vertonghen again,” said Alderweireld, who has lined-up with the Spurs defender whilst they were together in Amsterdam and also for Belgium. “But a transfer will be arranged later, not now. Atletico will decide my future, but I would like to stay in the Premier League. That some of the big clubs show interest proves I’m doing well.”
Mauricio Pochettino has already made moves to bolster his defensive options ahead of next season, having agreed to pay £4.3million for FC Koln’s Kevin Wimmer. However, reports of a transfer being wrapped up seem premature after the 22-year-old Austrian international said: “There are talks, but from my end there is no confirmation yet.”
