Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for Chelsea.
The Belgium international has played just one Premier League game for Spurs since the end of October despite the fact that he overcame a hamstring problem in the early stages of 2018.
According to The Sun, Alderweireld's refusal to put pen to paper on a new deal at the North London club has piqued the interest of the Stamford Bridge hierarchy.
The report goes on to claim that Chelsea are preparing a bid for the £45m-rated centre-back, who has one season left at Spurs.
In addition, the newspaper claims that Alderweireld has a £25m release clause active for 14 days if Spurs activate a one-year extension option at the end of next season, leaving the club with a dilemma over whether to try to get maximum value for him earlier.
Lilywhites boss Mauricio Pochettino is thought to have prepared for any eventuality and sees Ajax teenager Matthijs de Ligt as an apt replacement.
Alderweireld has made 106 appearances for Tottenham since his 2015 switch from Atletico Madrid.
Giuseppe Labellarte
