Toby Alderweireld has confirmed that he is returning to pre-season training with Tottenham, despite intense speculation that he is set to leave this summer – and many fans are hoping it means he’s staying with Spurs.
Prominent Belgian journalist Kristof Terreur quoted Alderweireld from Belgian outlet HLN Sport, saying: “I will return to London this weekend for the start of pre-season with my club”.
Toby Alderweireld in @hlnsport: “I will return to London this weekend for the start of pre-season with my club.”#coys #thfc pic.twitter.com/r8fcA1Ut69
— Kristof Terreur (@kristofterreur) August 2, 2018
The contract wrangling between Alderweireld and Tottenham has been heavily documented and the centre-back was used sparingly by Mauricio Pochettino last season.
At first Pochettino said he wasn’t fit, then he said he was not being picked on merit.
However, when he did play he was brilliant, as usual, and Alderweireld also put in some solid performances for Belgium in the World Cup.
That’s led to reports of a move to Man United, but Tottenham fans are hoping that his latest comments mean that he is staying for next season at least, especially as Spurs have made no additions to their squad this summer.
However, if he does stay Spurs could face losing him for just £25million next summer because of a clause in a contract extension option.
Here are the best reactions from Tottenham fans:
Idol, best defender of Spurs!
— Celso ? (@celsodedeus4) August 2, 2018
If he stays it will be interesting to see what Poch does. Everyone assuming we’ll go back three, but that’s not what we’ve prepared for in preseason. One of Jan, Toby or Sanchez will likely be dropped. I suspect it will be Toby ?????
— Bobby (@Bobby_Spurs) August 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/JaeDavies23/status/1024924948157132801
And why wouldn't he? He hasn't burnt any bridges, he/his agent were/are negotiating a new deal, the fact Spurs don't want to pay what he wants, tells me just that.. he actually wants to stay or else why negotiate, you would just leave…
— Marc Trainis (@MarcSpurs) August 2, 2018
— AR (@adhithya35) August 2, 2018
I hope he is welcomed back after what he did.
— Wazza 1882 © (@Wazza1882) August 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/achrisoulla/status/1024920081116082177
People don't be getting to excited he's off it will be some type of swap deal for martial
— Colin Gilmore (@thfcgilmore) August 2, 2018
He's gonna sign
— TTID (@Yiddo8) August 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/Nicky_Koonce/status/1024929772848263169
OPINION
Despite Alderweireld returning to London, it still looks like he will be sold this summer. It’s the only real option that makes sense financially, with the centre-back able to leave for a fraction of his market value if Spurs are forced to trigger another year’s option on his contract. It does look like this could go all the way down to the wire though, which will make for an exciting, if ultimately disappointing, final week of the transfer window for Spurs fans.