‘Not saying no’ – Tottenham star sends mixed message about potential exit
Toby Alderweireld has refused to rule out a move to Belgium but insists that does not mean he wants to leave Tottenham Hotspur.
There has been much speculation about Alderweireld’s future as Tottenham plan for the new season. Much will depend on who their new manager is, but the defender has already been linked with an exit. A return to his native Belgium, where he has never played club football, is one option.
At the age of 32, Alderweireld still has plenty to contribute at the top level. But it could be a summer of change at Spurs, meaning his future is in doubt.
His contract still runs until 2023, but if Tottenham try to sign someone new at centre-back, there will be more suggestions of a departure. If he does leave, then it could be time for him to test himself out in his homeland, where Club Brugge are keen.
Now, Alderweireld – who has also been linked with a return to Ajax in Holland – has sent a mixed message about his future.
He told the MID MID podcast (via Sport Witness): “That I can come and play in Belgium? Yes, I can. I’m not saying ‘no’ to that.
“I am proud of Belgium. Proud of Antwerp. Playing football in Belgium: I would like to experience that. I would like that.
“That is not always in my hands. I am also very happy at Tottenham. If I say now that I want to play football in Belgium, it looks like I want to leave Tottenham. And I don’t.
“Again: I am very happy there. But I am not saying ‘no’ to Belgium beforehand either. We’ll see if it comes my way.”
Andersen to replace Alderweireld?
The stars appear to be aligning over a summer Tottenham transfer after two reputable journalists confirmed both the club and player’s interest in making a move happen.
Respected journalist Fabrizio Romano recently tweeted that Spurs’ ‘main’ target at centre-half is Lyon defender Joachim Andersen.
The 24-year-old Denmark international impressed on loan with Fulham this season despite the Cottagers failing to beat the drop.
Romano confirmed Tottenham ‘want him’, and The Athletic’s Jack Pitt-Brooke has revealed the feeling is mutual.
He told the View from the Lane podcast: “Joachim Andersen has chosen that he would like to come to Spurs, but Spurs don’t at the moment have a deal with Lyon.”
Adding further fuel to the fire, Lyon are deemed to be ‘willing to sell’ by The Telegraph.
Though an agreement has yet to be reached, the pieces all appear to be in place should Tottenham decide to act on their interest.
READ MORE: Tottenham still in play for dynamic midfielder high on Mourinho wishlist
The post ‘Not saying no’ – Tottenham star sends mixed message about potential exit appeared first on TEAMtalk.