{"id":578989,"date":"2021-01-16T04:11:46","date_gmt":"2021-01-16T09:11:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=578989"},"modified":"2021-01-16T04:11:46","modified_gmt":"2021-01-16T09:11:46","slug":"erik-ten-hag-ajax-interest-tottenham-hotspur-toby-alderweireld","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2021\/01\/16\/erik-ten-hag-ajax-interest-tottenham-hotspur-toby-alderweireld\/","title":{"rendered":"Erik ten Hag Denies Ajax Interest in Tottenham Hotspur\u2019s Toby Alderweireld"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ajax manager Erik ten Hag says the club is not looking to sign Tottenham Hotspur<\/a> defender Toby Alderweireld<\/a> this January.\u00a0<\/span>The 31-year-old signed a new contract with Spurs in December 2019, but hints of a move away have yet to subside.<\/p>\n

Alderweireld has already been linked with a return to the Eredivisie, with PSV Eindhoven also reportedly showing interest<\/a> in the Belgian.<\/p>\n

Erik ten Hag Plays Down Ajax Interest in Toby Alderweireld\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Return to Amsterdam in January Unlikely\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Alderweireld started his football career with Ajax<\/a>, making\u00a0128 league appearances between 2008 and 2013. The stint was successful for the defender, winning three consecutive titles\u00a0with\u00a0<\/span>De Godenzonen\u00a0<\/span><\/em>in the process.<\/p>\n

The Belgian has established himself as one of Europe’s best defenders and has been an ever-present fixture for Spurs.\u00a0Although Alderweireld’s contract isn’t set to expire until 2023<\/a>, rumours of a return to his former club continue to surface.<\/p>\n

But following Ajax’s 3-1 win over FC Twente, ten Hag was quick to dismiss rumours of a move for Alderweireld. The Ajax manager also reiterated the club’s director of football, Marc Overmars<\/a>, maintains close communication with former players, hinting a future move could be made.<\/p>\n

He said<\/a>: \u201cWe have good contact with Alderweireld, but we have no concrete interest.\u00a0We are in constant contact.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarc [Overmars] maintains close contacts with all players who have left Ajax, just look at [Davy] Klaassen.\u00a0At the moment that is not the case.\u201d<\/p>\n

Spurs Looking to Build Defensive Core<\/h3>\n

In what is Jose Mourinho’s first full season as Spurs boss, the Portuguese has seemingly found his preferred defensive pairing in Alderweireld and Eric Dier<\/a>. Former club-record signing Davinson Sanchez<\/a> has endured an inconsistent campaign, with the Colombian limited to just six league appearances.<\/p>\n

Despite a recent blip in what has been a positive first half of the season, Spurs’ defensive improvement has been noticeable. Mourinho’s side have the joint-second best defence in the Premier League<\/a>, conceding 16 goals in 17 games, trailing only Manchester City.<\/p>\n

But Spurs remain in the transfer market for an additional centre-back to continue tightening up the backline. According to Mundo Deportivo<\/a>, Mourinho could be exploring the possibility of acquiring out-of-favour Real Madrid<\/a> defender Eder Militao<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The 22-year-old moved to the Bernabeu from Porto in 2019<\/a>\u00a0but has struggled to nail down a starting spot. The Brazilian has featured in just three games in all competitions for Los Blancos\u00a0<\/em>this season, with Zinedine Zidane<\/a>\u00a0showing more faith to Nacho Fernandez.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>