Barcelona want Alderweireld, but Tottenham could have last laugh with Umtiti release clause

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Interest is rising in Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld.

Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Toby Alderweireld is a wanted man and Barcelona are the latest team to show interest.

The Independent report Barcelona are considering a serious bid for Alderweireld in the summer amid his ongoing contract dispute, with Spurs not willing to make him their highest paid player.

Dealing with Barcelona would not be as bad as selling to a Premier League team, and Tottenham could still have the last laugh.

This is because Barcelona have a player who would be a perfect replacement for Alderweireld, Samuel Umtiti, who has a £53 million release clause in his contract.

Umtiti is a former teammate of Hugo Lloris at Lyon and faces an uncertain future at Barcelona amid interest from Manchester United, reported by The Express.

The arrival of Colombian defender Yerry Mina has already put him under pressure for his place alongside Gerard Pique, and Toby Alderweireld signing would ;push him right down the pecking order.

If Barcelona came in with a bid for the Belgian which was deemed acceptable by Tottenham, then they should respond by triggering Umtiti’s release clause.

The France international earns £75,000 per week and fits within Tottenham’s wage structure and at just 24-years-old he has the potential to get better than he already is.

The Lloris connection would help him settle at Spurs and if they are going to lose Alderweireld, this would not only save face for the North London side by putting them on the front foot, but it would also mean they are no weaker, adding a ready made top class replacement.