Tottenham scout potential replacement for Alderweireld

Tottenham are lining up a young replacement for centre-back Toby Alderweireld, according to a report.

German outlet Bild report that Spurs had scouts watching Stuttgart defender Benjamin Pavard as they won 3-2 at Cologne on Sunday.

Mauricio Pochettino is concerned that Alderweireld, who has not yet signed a new contract, will leave with Manchester United reportedly leading the chase for the 29-year-old.

The Belgian is out of contract in June 2019 and he is apparently “unhappy” at the club’s latest contract offer of £110,000 per week plus bonuses.

The centre-back, who is currently on around £50,000, is chasing a £140,000 a week and he has a clause in his existing deal which contains a one-year extension option, to summer 2020, but triggering that option would also activate a £25million release clause, which would kick in in the summer of 2019, as long as a transfer was completed at least 14 days before the closure of the window.

Spurs though are looking at alternatives and French centre-back, Pavard, 21, has been impressing in the Bundesliga and made his senior France debut against Wales last November.

Pavard help Stuttgart to win promotion back to the Bundesliga last season and he has been ever-present for this season, playing every single Bundesliga minute.

The Sun claim Spurs are lining up an £11million bid for the player, who recently signed a contract extension until 2021.

The tabloid also claim Pavard said recently: “My main focus now is to make sure that we stay up.”But I will take another look at how things are in the summer.”

 

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