Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld faces a big evening.
Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld faces a more momentous evening than his teammates tonight.
Spurs face Barcelona with their Champions League season on the line. Failure to match Inter’s result at home to PSV will see Spurs eliminated.
For Alderweireld, there is a very real possibility that this could be his last ever Champions League game for Tottenham.
The result could even influence his future.
Alderweireld is available for transfer for just £25 million next summer [via Independent] because of a clause in his contract. It’s far below his market value, and the following year he can leave for free.
Tottenham have a financial incentive to cash in next month if he does not sign a new deal, even though from a sporting perspective it is clearly best to keep him as long as possible.
Perhaps this focuses his mind?
Alderweireld is a top target for Manchester United, report The Sun.
But even if Tottenham qualify, Alderweireld cannot play for them in the Champions League this season as he will be cup tied.
Could this influence his decision to stay, and continue his adventure at Tottenham?
Even a stirring performance and defeat could persuade Alderweireld to stay put, demonstrating that Tottenham are very competitive at Champions League level.
Next season Manchester United currently look unlikely to qualify for the Champions League, sitting in sixth, eight points off the qualification places.
The grass may not be greener for the Belgian.
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