Jamie Redknapp has urged Tottenham to tear up their wage structure and pay whatever it takes to keep key defender Toby Alderweireld at the club.
The Times report that the 28-year-old could potentially be sold in the summer as the player and club are at a stalemate over contract talks.
It is understood that the centre-back wants a fresh £150,000-a-week deal, which would triple his existing £50,000-a-week contract wit the North London club.
However, the repot details that Spurs are sticking to their strict wage structure and the most recent £110,000-a-week offer was not enough for the Belgium International.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino has stood by the club’s transfer policy and the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid are monitoring the defender’s situation.
Sky Sports pundit Redknapp has stated that Spurs must keep Alderweireld at all costs and reward him with a major pay packet.
“I’d give him £180,000. That’s what I’d do. I’d give him whatever he wants. If he was at any other club – Man City – they’d pay him and he’d be happy,” Redknapp said, as cited by Sky Bet’s official Twitter account.
“He is one of the best defenders in the world, he could go anywhere right now. If he wants £150,000 [and] you’re worried you’re going to upset the wage structure at the club, I just don’t feel that’s a big club mentality.
“They’ve got a special talent there, he’s a leader and when he plays the points are better, they concede less goals. Why are they not paying up? Give him what he wants.”
OPINION
Redknapp is spot on with his assessment as Alderweireld is one of the world’s outstanding defenders and Spurs would find it impossible replacing him. The ball-playing centre-back has a brilliant understanding alongside Jan Vertonghen and has been a colossal figure during his time with the club. Spurs’ current team are on the verge of real success as they hunt silverware and are a better team when he plays. The strict wage structure in place at Spurs simply needs to chance despite it serving chairman Daniel Levy well. They need to have a financial power if they really hope to compete with the likes of Manchester City in the coming years.