Report: Barcelona raid for Toby Alderweireld dependent on Yerry Mina’s upcoming displays

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Barcelona are being linked with Tottenham Hotspur’s Toby Alderweireld.

According to a report from Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona will only make a summer move for Tottenham Hotspur’s Toby Alderweireld if they are unconvinced by Yerry Mina between now and the end of the season.

Alderweireld, 28, has been vital for Spurs ever since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2015, with Tottenham paying a bargain £11.4million fee (The Guardian) to land the Belgian after an impressive loan spell with Southampton.

The ex-Ajax star has become arguably the Premier League’s top centre back during his time in North London, forming a superb partnership with former Ajax and current Belgium international teammate Jan Vertonghen.

However, with no new contract agreed and a £25million release clause which can be activated in 2019, Spurs fear losing Alderweireld – and Mundo Deportivo note that Barcelona are tracking his situation ahead of a possible summer move.

Mina the key to any move

The report does though note that Barcelona will only make a move for Alderweireld if they are left unconvinced by new signing Yerry Mina, as they could loan the Colombian out this summer and bring in the more experienced Alderweireld to boost their back line.

Mina, 23, is a recent signing from Brazilian side Palmeiras, and it seen as one for the future for Barcelona, with the 6ft 5in defender needing some polishing before he can really challenge Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti.

An international teammate of Spurs ace Davinson Sanchez, Mina must now impress between now and the end of the season, or find himself loaned out next season and replaced by Alderweireld.

Spurs will be hoping that Mina impresses and doesn’t trigger any Barcelona move for their star defender, with Daniel Levy no doubt still holding out hope that he can keep the centre back at the club for many years yet.