Toby Alderweireld has an uncertain future at Tottenham as his contract winds down. The 30-year-old has just over 12 months remaining on his deal and isn’t close to putting pen to paper on an extension. Alderweireld’s contract was originally due to expire this summer before Spurs triggered a 12-month option, but he now has a release clause that could force Tottenham’s hand to sell him.
The Belgian international can leave for £26m up until the last two weeks of the summer transfer window. If he hasn’t secured a move by then, Tottenham will decide his future. According to the Mirror, Manchester United, Barcelona and Juventus are keen on his signature and could make a move when the campaign comes to a close.
Spurs’ hands are tied on Alderweireld. They won’t want to lose such an influential player but letting him go at the end of his contract would cost them a lot of money. If the centre-back is granted a departure this summer, Mauricio Pochettino can at least put the money towards signing a replacement.
Tottenham don’t want to become a selling club again and they won’t want to be bullied by one player, but it’s hard to see them doing anything other than sell up when the season ends and spend the window finding the next Alderweireld in the transfer market.
Crippy Cooke’s previous article
Explained: Tottenham have to pay £26m and a £1.3m salary to sign attacking-midfielder