Tottenham made 'huge mistake' in allowing Kyle Walker to join Manchester City says Jamie Redknapp
KEY POINTS
- Redknapp has questioned Tottenham as to why Toby Alderweireld has not signed a new contract.
- The ex-Liverpool midfielder wants Spurs to give the Belgian "whatever he deserves".
Former Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie Redknapp claims Spurs' decision to sanction Kyle Walker's sale was a "huge mistake" and has urged the north London club to secure Toby Alderweireld's future.
Mauricio Pochettino allowed the right-back to leave Tottenham for Manchester City in the summer transfer window. The England international cost Pep Guardiola's side around £54m ($72.7m) and will earn around £130,000 a week ($173,975 per week) at the Etihad, according to the Daily Mail.
Meanwhile, Alderweireld's current deal at Tottenham will run down in 2019. The former Atletico Madrid defender's agent Stijn Francis revealed in October that the Belgium international's employers are yet to hand him a new deal.
Tottenham have a policy of not paying more than £100,000 a week ($133,827 per week) to their players. Redknapp has questioned his former club as to why Alderweireld's contract situation is still not resolved. He also urged them to pay Alderweireld "whatever he deserves" in order to avoid star players following in Walker's footsteps and leaving the club.
"Letting Kyle Walker go in the summer looks like a huge mistake. I thought it was good business at the time but now what it's has done is set a precedent in the dressing room. It looks to me that the players know what the going rate is," Redknapp told Sky Sports.
"Toby Alderweireld is one of the best centre-backs in the world - why has he not signed? Go and give him whatever he deserves.
"Tottenham have got players anyone in the world would want, but things can quickly slip through your fingers. Once one leaves, then another one. It gives every player an out. They've still got a small club mentality there. It's not changed since I was there.
"These players are well aware of what the going rate is. It's about going into the England dressing room and seeing a player that plays in your position, knowing he's getting two or three times what you're getting a week. It shouldn't be like that."
