Tottenham have softened their stance on selling Toby Alderweireld and have “privately accepted” that they will offload the Belgium international to one of their Premier League rivals, according to the Times.
The newspaper claims that Daniel Levy is likely to demand in excess of £50million for the 29-year-old, who is wanted at Manchester United before the World Cup starts in Russia next month.
It is understood that United have opened talks over signing Alderweireld on Wednesday after Spurs altered their idea of selling him only to an overseas club.
The Daily Star reports that the former Southampton and Atletico Madrid centre-backs earns £75,000-a-week in his Spurs deal.
Good move for Tottenham?
Alderweireld is arguably the best defender in the Premier League and losing him is a disaster for Levy and Mauricio Pochettino.
Levy should have baulked at the Belgian’s contract demands and offered him what he wanted in order to keep hold of him in North London.
However now it seems that they are just going to get around £50million for a player who is one of the best in his position in Europe and his exit will strengthen one of their Premier League rivals.
A lot depends on who Pochettino gets in to replace Alderweireld, but it will unlikely be anyone better.
This is Futbol rating 1/10
Likely to happen?
Alderweireld is out of contract next summer and if he does not leave by the end of the transfer window, Spurs will have to trigger an extension clause in his contract that will also activate a £25million release clause.
Rather than losing him for £25million, Levy will surely let him go for double that this summer.
This is Futbol rating 10/10