Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld is set to leave Spurs in the coming days, after travelling to Qatar to complete a deal with Al-Duhail, who are managed by former Nottingham Forest manager Sabri Lamouchi.
Reports earlier in the day suggested he was more interested in staying in Europe and moving to a Belgian or Dutch side as he wasn’t ‘yet ready for an adventure in the Middle East’, but that report was quickly proved wrong as Alderweireld was greeted at the Qatari airport this evening.
🚨 NEW: Toby Alderweireld is not exactly ready for an adventure in the Middle East. Italian & Spanish clubs have already shown interest in signing him this summer window. [@hlnsport] pic.twitter.com/UDJafhKxxY
— The Spurs Web (@thespursweb) July 24, 2021
The transfer would mark the end of a successful six year stay in North London, where he firmly established himself as a fan favourite alongside compatriot Jan Vertonghen – who left for Benfica last season.
With Al-Duhail willing to pay €13 million, the transfer represents good value for Spurs due to Alderweireld being 32 and rated at just £9.5 million by TransferMarkt.
Fabio Paratici was most likely convinced to give the green light to the Belgian centre-back due to the imminent arrival of Atalanta’s Cristian Romero, and a potential deal being concluded for both Bologna’s Takehiro Tomiyasu and Sevilla’s Jules Kounde.
🚨 BREAKING: Toby Alderweireld has arrived in Qatar to sign for Al-Duhail SC. pic.twitter.com/Ytwg2Z3mTT
— The Spurs Web (@thespursweb) July 24, 2021
Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez are both also on the transfer list with Spurs entering a new era which Paratici is trying to shape for success.
Last year saw all three Spurs centre-backs struggle, with Welshman Joe Rodon and homegrown Japhet Tanganga becoming the fans’ choice defensive pairing with not too many opposing the partnership.
With Toby Alderweireld’s imminent move to Al-Duhail for a fee of £13 million.
Remembering the 2016/17 season, the defence of Danny Rose, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Kyle Walker conceded just 26 goals in 36 games.
Formidable Defence. pic.twitter.com/mfel17txdT
— The Spurs Express (@TheSpursExpress) July 24, 2021
This season could see three centre-backs line-up with Ben Davies on the left, but it is most likely that Nuno will deploy a four-man defence with two centre-backs.
Many are hoping that Kounde and Romero will be the central defenders who line-up together and form a partnership together for the upcoming season – with both players in-form and very young but with Champions League experience – making it probable that if they sign they will be the defensive pairing for the club’s long-term future.