According to Talk SPORT and various other media outlets, Tottenham are prepared to allow Belgian centre-back Toby Alderweireld leave the club this summer. The main reason for the decision is the fact that talks over a new contract have stalled.
The centre-back is believed to be looking for around £150,000 per week. Meanwhile, Spurs are only willing to give him £110,000 per week, which was reportedly their final offer and the Belgian international turned down the offer.
Tottenham’s wage structure a barrier
Reportedly, Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has backed the clubs stance. However, there is only so long Spurs can challenge for a top-four place by paying in comparison poor wages compared to their rivals.
There will come a point when the players at Spurs will look at the wages players at the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and even Arsenal and are fed up with earning less than their contemporaries earn.
That will lead to Tottenham losing all their best players. It is simple market forces. Footballers have very short careers and to them, it is a job to earn money. If they have a bigger offer elsewhere they will move on, its economics and life I am afraid.
Not many players are loyal enough to stick with a club and earn less than those doing a poorer job somewhere else.
Spurs will never become more than wannabes if they do not change their wage structure. It is nice to live within a budget, but unfortunately, wages in the top-flight have plummeted in recent years.
Alderweireld is one of the best defenders
Since joining Tottenham in 2015 from Atletico Madrid, Toby Alderweireld has become one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League. Even during a loan spell at Southampton the season before he looked top class and helped the Saints maintain a solid defensive record.
Alderweireld’s central defensive partnership with compatriot Jan Vertonghen is one of the best in the top-flight. Summer signing Davinson Sanchez has made a bright start to life in the Premier League in Alderweireld’s absence, though.
The Belgian centre-back turns 29 early next month. However, it is not as if he is approaching the end of his career. The experience he has in the English top-flight is invaluable.
Already the rumour has kicked into gear about where the Belgian defender could move to this summer. Manchester United, Real Madrid and Liverpool have reported interest in the defender.
Tottenham losing the defender to the likes of United and or Liverpool would be a double kick in the teeth. Not only would they be losing a top player, they would be strengthening one of their top-six rivals.
It would seem like a strange move on Spurs part. Especially as the north London club have not exactly been a roaring success when it comes to signing players in recent transfer windows.
Tottenham fancied to finish in the top-four
The return to fitness of Alderweireld will only help Tottenham’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League. The north London side are currently 2/5 to finish in the top-four this season. Those odds make them fourth favourites and mean that the bookmakers fancy Mauricio Pochettino’s side to finish in the top-four.
It would not be a major surprise for the Tottenham to finish in those Champions League spots this season. They have been a mainstay for the past few years.
However, with competition for those lucrative Champions League spots seemingly getting fiercer every season, Tottenham cannot afford to sell their best players and for me, he is a key player for Spurs.
Judging by the posts on forums and social media, the majority of Tottenham fans are in favour of the clubs giving Alderweireld what he wants. However, it seems the club are not and the Belgian star could be playing elsewhere next season.
Should Tottenham change their wage structure?
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