Tottenham are hopeful of reaching an agreement with Toby Alderweireld over a new contract despite “tricky” talks, according to a report.
The Mail claim the Belgium international wants a big hike on his £50,000-a-week wages as he holds out for a deal that will place him on a par with top earner Harry Kane, who agreed a new contract earlier this season worth up to £110,000-a-week.
Spurs officials are reportedly reluctant to hand Alderweireld, 28, such a big pay rise as they try to keep finances under tight control as work continues on funding their new stadium.
Nevertheless, the Mail report that is a confidence within the White Hart Lane corridors of power that Alderweireld will eventually put pen to paper on a new contract.
Signing up the key defender is one of Tottenham’s priorities after tying down most of their senior first-team players to long-term contracts over the course of this season.
In addition to talisman Kane, the likes of Hugo Lloris, Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Jan Vertonghen, Kyle Walker and Danny Rose have all signed deals that keep that at the club up to 2021 and beyond.
Alderweireld has a deal that runs until 2020 but Manchester City are said to be willing to offer him more than £100,000-a-week after being impressed at the consistent of his displays at the heart of the Spurs defence.
The Belgian joined Tottenham from Atletico Madrid two years ago after a season on loan at Southampton in 2014-15,
He has been a key figure in the meanest defence in the Premier League over the last two seasons, accumulating 35 league and cup appearances this season.