Southampton defender Toby Alderweireld drops hint over Tottenham Hotspur interest

Southampton defender Toby Alderweireld has hinted he would be open to linking up with his Belgium teammate Jan Vertonghen at Tottenham Hotspur next season.

Aldwereireld, on a season-long loan from La Liga champions Atletico Madrid, has impressed at St Mary's this term, with the club now keen to secure his services on a permanent deal.

Saints manager Ronald Koeman claimed in January the club have the option to sign the versatile 26-year-old outright at the end of the season.

The Belgian defender, who is currently with his national team ahead of the Red Devils' European Championship qualifiers against Cyprus and Israel, admits he would also be tempted to link up with his countryman and former Ajax teammate Vertonghen.

But he insists the final decision ultimately rests with Atletico. "It would be very nice to play again with Jan," Alderweired was quoted by saying by Belgian outlet HLN. "The interest has yet to be concrete and finally Atletico must let me go. Maybe they want me back in Madrid. I have to wait for the calls after the season.

"Atletico Madrid will largely decide what I will do. But that such clubs are interested only indicates that I am doing well. For now, I only try to focus as much as possible on Southampton. I am very happy in the Premier League, which really suits me."

After watching his side concede three goals to the Premier League's bottom side Leicester City on 21 March, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino vowed to make further changes to his defensive options in the summer.

"We need to speak over the next few weeks about changes that need to be made to the squad, but now is not the moment," Pochettino was quoted as saying by the Daily Telegraph.

"Now is the moment to try to improve our play. It's true, I was angry with the defending against Leicester and I am not happy about our record. But it's normal. We are a club, a team that people expect a lot from, but in the same way we are a very young team and this is part of the process."

The club would appear to already under way in making those changes with a deal reportedly in place for FC Cologne defender Kevin Wimmer. The 22-year-old recently told the German press he had held talks with the Premier League side, although insisted no deal is yet in place.