Tottenham in danger of losing one of their star men as his agents speaks out

Alderweireld was expected to open talks over a new deal with Spurs at the end of last season, but he admitted in July that no discussions had taken place as speculation mounted over possible interest from Manchester City and some of Europe’s top clubs.

Now the Belgian defender’s agent has raised the stakes in what appears to be something of a stand-off with the club over a new contract, as he hinted the defender signed from Southampton for £11.5m in the summer of 2015 will agitate for a move if a new deal is not forthcoming.

"When you look at Toby's statistics, they are impressive. Either he deserves an appropriate contract, or else he should be given a transfer," his agent Stijn Francis was quoted by The Sun.

"Seven or eight big European clubs are interested in signing him. There are not many central defenders around who can play like he can, but these clubs will have to negotiate with Tottenham's chairman, Daniel Levy."

Tottenham’s strict wage structure came under scrutiny last month when their defender Danny Rose went public with his frustrations after it was revealed Kyle Walker trebled his wages when he moved from Spurs to Manchester City this summer.

With Tottenham chief Levy reportedly refusing to sanction wages of more than £100,000-a-week for his star names, this is a story that looks certain to rumble on as the likes of Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen become transfer targets for Europe’s big-spending clubs.