Chelsea and City target Belgian star Alderweireld

LONDON: Manchester City and Chelsea are in the hunt for Toby Alderweireld (pic), according to reports.

The Belgium star stunned Tottenham Hotspur yesterday by demanding a pay rise and revealing eight top clubs are chasing him.

According to the Telegraph, City and Chelsea are both keeping tabs on the situation.

Alderweireld, 28, earns £50,000 (RM276,000) a week and is contracted to Spurs until the summer of 2020.

But Tottenham have yet to make the centreback a new offer despite approaches by his father Vic and fellow advisor Stijn Francis.

The North London club reportedly have an option of extending his deal by a further 12 months but that would include a £25mil (RM138mil) release clause.

City have struggled to form a stable back line in the last few years and Pep Guardiola has splurged £173mil (RM956mil) on defenders John Stones, Kyle Walker, Benjamin Mendy and Danilo since arriving last summer.

Meanwhile, Antonio Conte plays three centrebacks in his Chelsea system and may look to strengthen his defence.

Alderweireld’s shock contract demands come after Danny Rose revealed exclusively to SunSport he does not believe he or his Spurs teammates are paid their true worth.

Alderweireld’s agent, Francis, said: “When you look at Toby’s statistics, they are impressive.

“Either he deserves an appropriate contract, or else he should be given a transfer.

“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.”

Alderweireld joined Spurs from Atletico Madrid in 2015 for £11.5mil (RM63mil) and helped them finish English Premier League runners up last season.

Tottenham also conceded the fewest league goals last term with the big Belgian at the back. — The Sun, London