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Football

06th Jun 2018

Tottenham legend says Toby Alderweireld will leave this summer

Manchester United have been courting Alderweireld in recent months

Reuben Pinder

He’s not convinced Spurs will stump up the cash

Toby Alderweireld’s future at Tottenham Hotspur remains undecided, as the player and the club engage in a financial stand-off.

Alderweireld, alongside his defensive partner Jan Vertonghen, has been one of the Premier League’s best defenders since he joined Spurs in 2015. His excellent form has been a key factor in Tottenham’s transformation into a consistent Champions League level side, and for that he believes he deserves a pay rise, demanding £150k per week.

Spurs have run a tight ship during the Pochettino era, creating a strong bond between the players and the manager and doing so on a comparatively small budget in comparison to the likes of Manchester City. But eventually they will have to break the wage structure in order to keep their stars.

Spurs legend Darren Anderton is not confident that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will give in to Alderweireld’s demands.

“I think [Toby] Alderweireld will leave Tottenham this summer. Until his injury he was the best defender in the Premier League so his situation is definitely a problem for the club”, Anderton told bookmaker bwin.

“Alderweireld will move on this summer because he wants to be paid what the best defenders earn and Tottenham won’t do that. Manchester United can afford to pay him far more money and he will massively boost their chances of winning the Premier League”, he added.

He also expressed concerns that clubs will come calling for Christian Eriksen this summer. ” I wouldn’t be surprised if Barcelona wanted to sign him this summer, especially if he has a good World Cup”, he said.

Spurs fans will be relieved to hear that he is more confident that Spurs will keep hold of Mauricio Pochettino this summer, amid speculation that the Argentine could replace Zinedine Zidane.

“It will be very tough for Pochettino to turn down Real Madrid, but I don’t think he will make the move this summer,” he said.