Toby Alderweireld has a £25m release clause in his Tottenham Hotspur contract, applicable this summer before the final year of the deal.
AS Roma are keen on acquiring his services and on July 15th, we covered claims from Italy that the Serie A side ‘intent’ on closing the centre-back’s signing for less than €20m.
It was explained the Belgium international has already agreed personal terms with Paulo Fonseca’s side and only having a year left on his Spurs’ contract could favour the Italian club.
Franco Baldini has previously worked as the technical director for the north London club and is negotiating on behalf of Roma.
Roma director Gianluca Petrachi is hopeful that Baldini’s relationship with Tottenham can help the Italian capital club in acquiring the services of the former Southampton man.
“In the meeting, I was clear, stating that Baldini must be a resource for me, but lately I have heard too many rumours,” Petrachi is quoted as saying by Sky Italia.
“If I do a negotiation and I realise that Baldini has worked for so many years at Tottenham, having good relations and being able to support Rome and save us money, it is clear that I use his qualities and his help [to sign Alderweireld].”
Kostas Manolas has moved to Napoli, while his former teammate Iván Marcano left Roma for FC Porto. Following their departures, Petrachi has stressed his side “needs two central defenders”.
