Reports have surfaced over the last 24 hours claiming the defender’s move to Tottenham Hotspur is all but complete.
Toby Alderweireld’s father and agent, Vic Alderweireld, is quoted in Belgian news outlet Voetbalkrant.com as denying a move had been finalised.
“We have no one with a concrete agreement,” said Alderweireld senior.
“There are conversations right and left. But currently there are no changes from the last few weeks.”
The quotes come as a surprise given the widespread coverage of the 26-year old’s reportedly imminent move, by the likes of Sky Sports, and could merely be a safeguard against any possible late twists.
Alderweireld is said to have enjoyed his time on loan at Southampton last season, and indeed Ronald Koeman was quoted by the London Evening Standard as saying he believes the player will return to St Mary’s.
The latest quotes could be his agent’s way of keeping all interested parties on board while the move to Spurs is in its final stages.
Vic Alderwereld did reveal there had been some developments in the last week, however, adding: “We’re still early in the transfer window… there is only a breakthrough in the last week ….So we wait as in previous years.”
Tottenham still look to be in prime position for the Atletico Madrid man’s signature, but will be anxious to get the deal over the line given previous last-minute deal collapses in recent years.
The Guardian claim the former Southampton loanee has told close friends he prefers Spurs over the Saints and that will surely prove to be the decisive factor, regardless of Southampton’s anger over how the situation has been handled.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
