OPINION
Tottenham fans will surely love BBC pundit Danny Mills’ prediction that centre-back Toby Alderweireld could make a “U-turn” in his plans and stay at the club this summer.
Speaking to Football Insider, Mills said the 30-year-old could change his mind on a move if Spurs achieve European glory.
“Alderweireld is expected to go, but there could be a shock U-turn if they win the Champions League,” the pundit said. “Players change their minds. If you are a Champions League winner, where is better?
“If the club says, ‘here is more money’ and they can come to an agreement over wages, why not?”
And Mills is exactly right. This could be the start of something special under Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham, and something that Alderweireld will definitely want to be a part of.
It’s been a bit of a slow burner for Spurs under their Argentine boss. The 2015/16 season was undoubtedly their best shot at the Premier League title – and looks like it will be for a few more years yet.
Aside from that, the North London club have come close in the FA Cup and League cup, losing to Chelsea on both occasions, but the Champions League has now emerged from nowhere as a fantastic opportunity for Spurs.
If they can beat Liverpool, they will have the means to re-invest heavily this summer, but one player who will surely want to stay is Alderweireld.
Transfer speculation was rife last summer over the Belgian international’s future, with Manchester United supposedly keen on his services.
In fact, it has been said that Spurs could be forced to sell Alderweireld this summer, due to a clause in his contract which states that after the club extended his deal by one year earlier this season, he can leave for a cut-price fee at the end of next season.
That is not what Spurs fans will want, and there remains a real chance that he could leave this summer if Spurs fail to reach an agreement and do not want to lose him next year for less than they could recoup him for this year.
But for Spurs, surely the best thing to do now – and the biggest focus for the club in terms of working with Alderwerield – is to try and carve out an agreement with the centre-back.
He has been solid this season and if Spurs do indeed win the Champions League, there could follow an upwards trajectory for the club from next season onwards, one which Alderweireld will not want to miss out on.