Alderweireld eyes free transfer

TOTTENHAM fear Toby Alderweireld has his sights on a lucrative free transfer exit next summer after his £25million release clause expired on Thursday. The Belgium international was expected to leave this summer given he was available for a relatively low price. There was tentative interest from Roma but Alderweireld looks set to stay for the new season. The lack of concrete interest in the 30-year-old came as a surprise. But it is understood that his representatives did not actively seek a route out of north London this summer — raising suspicions that Alderweireld (left) has his eyes on a moneyspinning Bosman move next summer. Alderweireld has rejected numerous Spurs contract offers, believed to be in the region of £150,000 a week. Although Spurs are happy to re-open talks over an extension, signing a new deal would not be anywhere near as lucrative as a huge signing-on bonus with a new club next year. Spurs are unwilling to offer Alderweireld a long-term contract given he’s entered his 30s. They could look to offset the prospect of losing him for nothing next summer by negotiating an exit for him before the August 8 transfer deadline. But the club would likely seek a higher fee than the £25m he was available for.