Paul Merson has claimed that Tottenham’s decision to extend Toby Alderweireld’s contract could give the side a ‘massive boost’.
Mauricio Pochettino confirmed earlier this week that Spurs will exercise an option in the 29-year-old’s contract that will tie him to the club until 2020, as reported by the BBC, but that does make him available for as little as £25 million due to a release clause.
Ex-Arsenal man Merson still believes that the move will be a positive for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, however.
Speaking on Soccer Saturday (Sky Sports News, Saturday December 29th, 12pm), he said: “Massive bonus for Tottenham, massive bonus. It’s hard to replace someone like him.
“I know the fee has gone up, but even to keep him an extra year, it’s another major feel good factor for Tottenham, flying along, he signs an extension, everything’s happening for Tottenham at the moment.
“They’re dangerous, Tottenham, there’s no doubt about it.”
OPINION
There are very few defenders in world football who can match the consistency and quality of Toby Alderweireld, and Spurs should be doing anything and everything they can to secure his long term future with the club. In the near future, tying the Belgian down until 2020 is a good move that could have positive ramifications for their title challenge, but the club are playing a dangerous game, and with the temptation of a £25 million release clause dangling in front of them, expect some of Europe’s biggest clubs to come sniffing as soon as they are able. Merson is perhaps being a little hyperbolic by suggesting that the deal represents a massive bonus for the club. Ordinarily, that certainly would have been the case, but the subtext of the extension, and the fact that it all but guarantees him talking to other clubs in the future, means that it could be a bonus with a bitter aftertaste.