Toby Alderweireld has admitted that he would love to make a return to Dutch giants Ajax in the near future.
Alderweireld’s future at Tottenham Hotspur has been uncertain, to say the least, for quite some time now. The defender has been touted for a move away from the club for several transfer windows now, and his relationship with Mauricio Pochettino hasn’t always been the best.
Manchester United were eager to snap him up in the summer, with Jose Mourinho desperate to add some quality and steel to his back-line. A move failed to materialize though, with the board unwilling to wholeheartedly back the manager with the funds he required to sign players.
As a result, Toby was forced to remain at Spurs and has managed to win back his place in the starting line-up. However, his contract at the club expires at the end of the season and there have been more rumors of a move away than there have been of a contract extension in the works.
While the topic of his future is still in the air, the Belgian defender admitted that he would love to return to Ajax someday. The 29-year-old graduated from Ajax’s esteemed academy and spent 8 years at the club, winning three back to back Eredivisie titles, the KNVB Cup and the Johan Cruyff Shield.
Though he does admit he would prefer to return during the final years of his career, he did state that he would only do so if he still had something to offer the team.
"More from Tottenham HotspurBayern Munich reach agreement for Harry KaneAntonio Conte goes scorched earth on TottenhamClement Lenglet set to join Tottenham on loanTottenham set to sign Brazilian RicharlisonTottenham Hotspur hold off Arsenal for Champions League spot‘Never say never,’ Alderweireld said, speaking to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf ahead of Spurs’s Champions League clash against PSV Eindhoven.At this moment in my career I don’t think about that yet. I think I can go on for years at this level. If I ever did, it is not to take it easy.‘I do not want to be 36 years old and can hardly walk. When I return, I certainly want to leave something. And not only in the dressing room.‘Of course it is close to home in Belgium and I have a bond with the club, because I played football at Ajax for eight years, achieving championships.’"
Should Alderweireld decide to leave, Spurs risk losing him for nothing next summer. Considering the number of goals Manchester United have shipped in the early stages of the season, Mourinho will be eager to stop the rot before it gets any worse. If no other clubs attempt to sign him, Daniel Levy might have no choice but to sell to their rivals in January if he wants to make any money from the situation at all.