Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham Hotspur have emerged as favourites in the race to sign Atletico Madrid's in-demand defender Toby Alderweireld, according to reports.
The 26-year-old spent last season on loan at Southampton, where he made 26 Premier League appearances.
Alderweireld has been guaranteed first-team football at Spurs, and the Belgian international has told friends that White Hart Lane is his preferred destination, reports The Times.
The Saints still have the option to convert Alderweireld's loan deal into a permanent move for £5.7m. However, Atletico are understood to have the choice to cancel that agreement for £1.43m, the newspaper adds.
