Southampton boss Ronald Koeman is hopeful that he will be able to keep Toby Alderweireld at the club beyond the summer.
The Belgian centre half impressed during his loan spell at St. Mary’s last season and is now wanted man at Premier League clubs such as Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
While Atletico Madrid want him back in Spain for next season, Alderweireld is not keen to return and wants to continue playing his football in England.
There have been rumours that Tottenham are in pole position to sign the defender and are in advanced negotiations with Atletico Madrid.
Koeman has indicated that Southampton are finding it difficult to negotiate with the Spanish giants.
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However, he stressed that Alderweireld wants to stay at the south coast club and the Dutchman is still hopeful of holding on to the defender.
“The player would like to stay, we would like to keep the player but it’s a little difficult at the moment with Atletico Madrid”, Koeman told the club’s official youtube channel.
“I am hopeful that he will stay at Southampton.”
Alderweireld was part of the Southampton defence that had the second best defensive record in the Premier League after Chelsea last season.
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