Tottenham Hotspur is reportedly going through a nervous time about their star centre-back Toby Alderweireld this summer as talks have been already got fumed as he hasn’t yet done an extension of his current deal. According to the report, a clause in the Belgium international’s contract allows Spurs to extend his contract beyond its current 2019 expiration date, but that would then activate a £25m release clause in his deal.
If the Spurs management can extend Alderweireld’s current terms, then they may save themselves from the loss of their star centre-back for significantly less than his market value.
Big guns of Europe like Chelsea, Man City and the ‘La Decima’ Real Madrid have shown significant interest on this Belgian international.
When the Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino was recently asked on Alderweireld’s contract situation, he was seen uncertain and told,
“Nothing happens. If something happens, the club is going to communicate. But I don’t understand all these things when the players are all under contract.”
The Belgian defender earns £50,000 per week in north London but according to the report he wants more. It is said to be seeking a contract worth more than double that figure. He wants to see the club break their £110,000-per-week limit to fulfil his demand. He joined Tottenham from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2015 and has managed to establish himself as one of the most valuable pieces of Pochettino’s defence.
Things can reach a real upside down between him and Spurs as he could be available for a bargain fee unless Spurs can manage him down to a new contract.
Alderweireld is on his way out of contract in 18 months, although the club has the option to a trigger a one-year extension to 2020.
As said above, his current deal includes a £25m release clause which can be extended in the summer of 2019 up to 14 days before the closure of the transfer window.
Their first priority must be to secure the player to a new long-term contract.
The club is reported to show interest in holding on to their core first-team squad ahead of their move back to the rebuilt White Hart Lane next season.
Alderweireld is gonna miss the Champions League clash away at Juventus today after being left at home to work on his fitness after only returning from a hamstring injury last week.
This Belgian made his comeback after injury in the recent cup victory over Newport County where he played the full 90 minutes, but since then, never been spotted in the squad for three successive Premier League games.
The Spurs manager knows when to do what. He knows when to return his boys following long-term injuries to avoid them suffering recurrences, adopting similar approaches previously with defender Danny Rose and forward Erik Lamela earlier this season.
Tottenham is now at a 4th position in the Premier League with 52 points, 20 points behind the leader, and 2 points behind Liverpool in 3rd position. After the Champions League clash against Juventus, the Spurs will face Rochdale in FA Cup 5th round. Premier League will again restart for them on 27th this month against Crystal Palace.
