Tottenham Transfer News: Toby Alderweireld Talks Up Move, Valencia Rumours Grow

Toby Alderweireld is keen to extend his Premier League experience with a move away from Atletico Madrid. The Belgian defender, currently enjoying a fine season on loan at Southampton, has suggested he would like to join countryman Jan Vertonghen at Tottenham.

Alderweireld told Belgian channel HLN (h/t Tom Maston of Goal.com) he would like to remain in England, and more specifically, rekindle the excellent partnership he once enjoyed with Vertonghen at Ajax:

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It would be very nice to play again with Jan. But that is very far. The interest has yet to be concrete and finally Atletico must let me go. Maybe they want me back in Madrid. I have to wait for the calls after the season.

A transfer will be arranged later, not now. Atletico will decide my future, but I would like to stay in the Premier League. That some of the big clubs show interest proves I’m doing well.

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Misha Japaridze/Associated Press

Football writer SamuelJayC noted the potential fee involved if Atletico opt to sell:

Alderweireld struggled to make much of an impression at the Vicente Calderon last season, despite Atletico winning La Liga and reaching the Champions League final. He started just 13 matches across the two competitions, per WhoScored.com, before Diego Simeone opted to let him depart on loan.

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Ronald Koeman has got the best out of him this campaign. Aside from matches missed due to injury, Alderweireld has performed admirably alongside Saints team-mate Jose Fonte. Southampton currently enjoy the best defensive record in the Premier League—having conceded just 21 in 30 matches—four less than prospective champions Chelsea.

Alderweireld is a good reader of the game, composed on the ball and versatile enough to be extremely useful to most squads. He can play at right-back or in defensive midfield if need be, but longs to once again enjoy a successful partnership with Vertonghen.

Mauricio Pochettino hasn't found a settled partner for the 27-year-old this season, utilising the likes of Eric Dier, Federico Fazio and Vlad Chiriches alongside him. Younes Kaboul continues to be overlooked in a position which can be outlined as a particular weakness for Spurs. Although Dier has the capacity to be the long-term answer, a top-class alternative is needed.

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

David Hytner of The Guardian offered some insight after Spurs' 4-3 win over Leicester:

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Only four teams have conceded more than Tottenham in the Premier League this season and three of them are in the relegation places. Pochettino said that the relative youth of his defenders had to be considered but the former Argentina centre-half is not blind to the problems.

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Pochettino is expected to invest well during the summer, with Valencia's Shkodran Mustafi and Sofiane Feghouli reportedly catching the Argentinian boss' eye. Paul Brown of the Daily Star indicates "Spurs scouts have watched both players extensively in recent weeks and were present last weekend as Valencia beat Elche 4-0."

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

Mustafi could be the defender the north London club are looking for, having put in an excellent season alongside Nicolas Otamendi for the Spanish side. At 22 years old, the German's dominance in the air and anticipation skills are impressive.

Feghouli would add to Spurs' choice of versatile attacking midfielders. The Algerian is used to playing on either flank and could provide a more explosive impact than Nacer Chadli and Erik Lamela, both of whom have been inconsistent this campaign.

The 25-year-old has scored three and assisted five in La Liga this season, per WhoScored, but he cannot maintain a place in Nuno's side, having started 11 and entered as a substitute on 12 occasions. His qualities are highlighted below:

Spurs are currently sat seventh in the Premier League, six points away from fourth-placed Manchester United in the final Champions League spot. It seems unlikely Pochettino's men will qualify for Europe's elite competition this season, but with the right summer investments, it should certainly be the goal for next year.

Players such as Alderweireld, Mustafi and Feghouli have plenty to offer the club. While Spurs' top-four competitors are likely to make the more headline-grabbing additions, Pochettino already has a fine base to build on. His ability to do so quickly will likely define his tenure.