Alderweireld set to leave Tottenham on free transfer

Tottenham fear they have missed the chance to cash in on defender Toby Alderweireld and he will leave for nothing next summer, claims The Daily Mirror.

Alderweireld has entered the final 12 months of his existing Tottenham contract and is unlikely to renew with the north London outfit.

The Belgium international was free to leave Tottenham for £25m earlier this summer but, curiously, no team stepped forward and matched his release clause.

Alderweireld is regarded as one of the finest centre-backs in the Premier League and losing him for nothing next summer would be a blow for Tottenham.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side are also concerned star playmaker Christian Eriksen could leave on a free transfer at the end of the season with Juventus circling. 

Eriksen has also entered the final year of his contract and confirmed earlier this summer he wants a change of scenery.

Tottenham could have recouped in the region of £100m in player sales had both players left this summer.

The transfer window for European clubs is still open for the remainder of the month but Tottenham fear any interested club will now wait until next summer before lining up moves for the pair.

Of outfielders that have made at least 10 Premier League starts since the beginning of last season, Alderweireld averages the most accurate long balls per game (7.1).