Monday, 15th July, 2013

Everton could be set for an off-field battle for Merseyside honours, as Roberto Martinez’s side attempt to lure Liverpool target Toby Alderweireld to Goodison Park, according to Belgian daily Het Laatste Nieuws.

Ajax man Alderweireld was all set to switch to Norwich City last week, with a reported €8m deal deemed suitable for an agreement, but things collapsed with the defender opting against it.



The Belgian even hinted he could well sign a contract extension with Ajax, with his current terms expiring next summer.

While Liverpool have always been in the running for Alderweireld, the Toffees are understood to be keen on the 24-year-old, who is in danger of being stuck at the Amsterdam ArenA unless an agreement is found.

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But events are not keeping Alderweireld up all night, as he was quoted by De Telegraaf as saying: "If things don’t work out, I’ll sit down at the table with Ajax to see if we can come up with a solution."

Alderweireld has grown into the peak of his powers within the last four-and-a-half years with Ajax, and 181 games with 15 goals have caught the eye of clubs in Europe.

Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United were reportedly in the running, though offers from the same have not been heard of yet. However, Everton are understood to have made contact with Alderweireld’s agent, even if they have not yet reached out to Ajax.

Meanwhile, Martinez has been a busy man this summer, and already boasts three former Wigan Athletic players in his Everton squad in defender Antolin Alcaraz, goalkeeper Joel Robles and striker Arouna Kone.

Everton also pulled off a coup last week, when they jumped ahead of Spurs to capture Barcelona forward Gerard Deulofeu on a season-long loan deal.

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