Tottenham’s win at Everton on the final day of the season was a positive end to a somewhat inconsistent campaign that ensured they finished an unlikely fifth place in the Premier League table.
Defeats for both Liverpool and Southampton saw Spurs grab the first Europa League space leaving them just a tantalising six points behind the Champions League spaces and surely with a feeling of what might have been.
It does however reflect a decent first season at White Hart Lane for Mauricio Pochettino, whose young squad have shown plenty of potential while falling just short of the top four.
There’s sure to be plenty of transfer activity over the next few months as the manager looks to strengthen his pack in order to make a proper assault on the Champions League places next term, and they may be able to do just that should they manage to sign the right players.
Central defence is one are Spurs are keen on reinforcing over the summer, and they have already signalled their intention by agreeing a deal with Cologne for Kevin Wimmer.
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But that might not be the only centre-half they sign this summer, with reports suggesting the club have a firm interest in Southampton defender Toby Alderweireld.
There is still plenty of uncertainty surrounding the future of the Belgian who has spent the season on-loan at St Mary’s from Atletico Madrid, and given the way he has performed this season; he is a player Tottenham should be going all out to sign.
The 26-year-old has had a superb campaign down on the South Coast and has been an instrumental part of Southampton’s impressive defence record.
The Saints finished the season with 12 clean sheets, and the second least goals against with 33, just one more than champions Chelsea.
And Alderwiereld is one man who can take plenty of credit for that achievement. He’s proved himself to be a top class defender and most importantly has shown he can cut it in the Premier League.
If Spurs can bring him to North London, they will not only be getting a solid defender who is comfortable on the ball, but a versatile one who can play both at right-back and centre half.
And given his history at playing alongside Jan Vertonghen at both Ajax and Belgium, there is certainly the potential for the countrymen to form a great partnership at the heart of the Tottenham defence next season.
Atletico are yet to decide whether they want to keep the defender or not, but with Spurs interested; they could accept as little as £10m. In today’s market and having seen first hand what he can offer; that really is a bargain and a no-brainer for Spurs.
Unsurprisingly there appears to be a great deal of competition for Alderweireld, with Manchester City, Chelsea and of course Southampton all linked with a move.
But having spoken of his desire to play alongside Vertonghen once again, he has dropped a massive hint that he could favour a switch to Spurs, and is certainly a player that will improve the team and help their push for Champions League qualification.
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