Arsenal ponder audacious swoop for Tottenham defender

Arsenal are considering a shock move for Tottenham centre-back Toby Alderweireld this summer, claims The Sun.

Alderweireld will only have 12 months left to run on his existing Tottenham deal this summer and has a £25m release clause active until the last two weeks of the transfer window.

Tottenham are currently not prepared to match Alderweireld’s wage demands and a summer exit appears a foregone conclusion.

Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have already been heavily linked with a move for the Belgium international but now Arsenal are keen.

It remains to be seen whether Alderweireld would risk ruining his relationship with Tottenham supporters by joining their fiercest rivals but he is a transfer target for the Gunners.

Arsenal desperately need to bolster their defensive options and Alderweireld represents tremendous value for money given his low release clause.

The 30-year-old is one of the best defenders in the league and would certainly help improve an Arsenal backline that has committed the third most errors leading to an opposition goal in Premier League this season (nine).

Alderweireld is renowned for his immense range of passing and that is illustrated by the fact he averages more accurate long balls per game than any other outfielder in the Premier League this season (7.6).