According to reports from The Evening Standard this morning, in-demand Atletico Madrid defender Toby Alderweireld would prefer to join Tottenham Hotspur this summer and rekindle his centre-back partnership with Jan Vertonghen.
The Belgium international spent last season on loan with Southampton following a tough debut campaign at Vincente Calderon – in which the Mattress Makers launched a shock coup for the 2013/14 La Liga title – and played an important role in Ronald Koeman’s side finishing up with the second-best goals conceded column in the division.
The 26 year-old’s peripheral status in the Spanish capital and impressive form in the Premier League has generated interest from a number of English clubs, namely Chelsea, Manchester City, Spurs and Southampton – as This Is Futbol revealed last week.
Chelsea have already been offered Alderweireld in a swap deal for left-back Filipe Luis, who has managed just nine Premier League starts since ending his four-year Atletico tenure to move to Stamford Bridge last summer, whilst Saints boss Ronald Koeman is preparing a club-record £18million bid to sign the defender permanently.
But according to The Evening Standard, Alderweireld would prefer a move to White Hart Lane, where he would link up with compatriot and former Ajax centre-back partner Vertonghen.
It follows comments from the former reported by Goal in March; “It would be very nice to play again with Jan. But that is very far. The interest has yet to be concrete and finally Atletico must let me go. Maybe they want me back in Madrid. I have to wait for the calls after the season.”
Also in the news this week:
Man City and Man United target set for £100k p/w offer
Koeman set to smash record fee for Chelsea and Spurs target
Sherwood set to bid for Liverpool and Spurs CB target
Arsenal ready record-breaking contract for incoming Chelsea star