Tottenham must make Toby Alderweireld an offer he can’t refuse if they are serious about keeping him, according to a reliable journalist.
Belgian reporter Kristof Terreur, who covers the Premier League for HLN newspaper in his homeland, quoted the defender on Twitter as saying he is “still waiting for a contract proposal” from Spurs.
The 28-year-old has been one of the outstanding players in Mauricio Pochettino’s squad since his arrival from Southampton in 2015 and is widely regarded as one of the best players in his position in the Premier League.
But he has only two years remaining on his contract and Tottenham are vulnerable to the possibility of him leaving given that a rival club can trigger a release clause set at £25million in the summer of 2019 even if the club activate an option to extend the initial deal until 2020.
Terreur claimed on his personal Twitter account that the “it is up to Tottenham now” and that the ball is in their court if they want to strike a fresh agreement to retain one of their most prized assets.
It’s up to Tottenham now. Toby A. has a contract until 2019. Spurs have an option to extend it till 2020 (+£25m clause for summer of 2019).
— Kristof Terreur ???? (@HLNinEngeland) June 7, 2017
Alderweireld is one of the few senior Tottenham players who has not signed an extended contract in the last 12 months, with the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, Danny Rose and Hugo Lloris all penning long-term deals.
The Daily Mail reported that contract negotiations between the two parties have stalled due to the wage demands of the Belgium international, who is seeking a deal worth more than double his current £50,000-per-week earnings.
But the player has since dismissed speculation that contract talks had reached an impasse, whilw admitting that no talks had even begun with Tottenham over a new deal.
Alderweireld made 39 appearances in all competitions for Tottenham last season, as they secured a second successive top-four Premier League finish, and a return to the Champions League.
He was a key member of the meanest defence in the Premier League and is regarded as the most reliable member of outstanding backline.