Thursday 2 July 2015 17:37, UK
Tottenham will hold talks with Atletico Madrid to discuss a potential deal for Toby Alderweireld, according to Sky sources.
Sky Sports reported earlier this month that Spurs are very interested in the 26-year-old defender, who spent last season on loan at Southampton, and have made that interest known to the player’s representatives.
Southampton are also determined to sign Alderweireld permanently and have been in regular dialogue with the La Liga club. A deal was put in place as part of the loan that simply needed Atletico to trigger this summer.
But Sky sources understand Atletico would now prefer to sell to the highest bidder – something for which it is believed Saints would be due compensation.
Both Southampton and Tottenham are equally as confident that the player will choose to join their club and Alderweireld is keen on a move to England.
After he played 90 minutes in Belgium's 4-3 friendly win over France in June, Alderweireld told Sky Sports News HQ: "I will go back to Spain next week and we will talk.
"We will see what happens. I hope a decision will be made quickly, otherwise it will be all summer. Let's see what comes up and I will make a decision. We will see what clubs come in."
Last week, Southampton head coach Ronald Koeman admitted he was unsure over Alderweireld's future but hoped he would choose a full-time move to St Mary's.
He said: "The player likes to stay, we like to keep the player but it's a little difficulty at the moment with Atletico Madrid, I have a good hope he will stay for Southampton."
But back in May, Alderweireld admitted he would be interested in joining up with former Ajax centre-back partner Jan Vertonghen at White Hart Lane.
He told Dutch media: "It would be very nice to play again with Jan. The interest has yet to be concrete and finally Atletico must let me go.
"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."
