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Toby Alderweireld
Show me the money! Photograph: =/Richard Blaxall/Rex/Shutterstock
Show me the money! Photograph: =/Richard Blaxall/Rex/Shutterstock

Football transfer rumours: Chelsea and Man City in for Toby Alderweireld?

This article is more than 6 years old

Today’s whispers got a late call-up

In a world where Jesse Lingard can collect six figures from the Old Trafford vault every week – in return for 84 minutes of bench-based Snapchat stories and six minutes of dogged, diligent wingplay – one has got to take their hat off to Daniel Levy. The Tottenham wage bill is the last stronghold, the Wall in the north of London, football’s last chance to save itself from an army of terrifying Mr 15% zombies lurching over the horizon. Keeping some of Europe’s finest players happy on as little as £50,000-a-week ain’t easy, but Levy somehow manages it.

But after Danny Rose’s public outcry last month regarding a lack of coin, cracks have started to appear in the Wall, not helped by Toby Alderweireld’s agent going all Jerry Maguire by sending this missive to the Belgian press, demanding either “a contract or a transfer” from Levy.

“If you only look at his figures, Toby is impressive and for his performances, he deserves either a better contract from Tottenham or a transfer,” wailed Stijn Francis. “Even after his injury he recovered. Tottenham’s statistics fell sharply during his absence. For a transfer, you know that he can only leave Tottenham for seven or eight teams and almost all the other top clubs are interested in Toby. There are not a lot of central defenders of his kind so they are sought after. But those clubs also know that they have to negotiate with [Tottenham chairman] Daniel Levy.”

Alderweireld’s contract runs out in 2019, when Spurs have the option of a 12-month extension that would also trigger a £25m release clause. With Manchester City and Chelsea circling, Levy will be keen to resolve the situation before January, with Alderweireld hoping to match some of the club’s top earners: Harry Kane is on around £100,000-a-week.

More contract fun in Liverpool, with Emre Can’s deal set to expire next summer. Despite Chelsea signing Danny Drinkwater and Ander Herrera doing the square root of nout on Manchester United’s bench, both clubs are keen on the 23-year-old, who will leave on a free transfer if he doesn’t agree a new deal. Perhaps more believable is the interest from Juventus, who know a thing or two about signing a German international midfielder on free transfer.

Juve could also land Faouzi Ghoulam from Napoli on a free transfer next summer, but will have to fight off competition from Chelsea and Liverpool. Should the Old Lady get their man, it could open the door to flog Alex Sandro to the highest bidder. Which, let’s face it, will probably be Chelsea.

Reports in Spain are suggesting that Philippe Coutinho could refuse to play for Liverpool in the Champions League this season in order to force through a move to Barcelona in January. Should Coutinho appear for the Reds before Christmas in Europe, he would then be a less attractive proposition for the Catalan club as he would be cup tied. Perhaps Coutinho’s back has stiffened up again on the way back from Brazil.

Arda Turan’s declaration to the press about his future – “I am happy in Barça. I have three years of contract and I am going to stay” – has not stopped rumours of a loan deal to Galatasaray picking up pace. Manchester United, seemingly intent of ruining a good midfield, are also apparently keen.

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