Liverpool Target Alderweireld Will Decide On Future At End Of Season
Reported Liverpool target Toby Alderweireld has once again disputed claims he has already agreed a move to Anfield, but will decide upon his future at the end of the season.
The highly rated Belgian has been persistently linked with a move that would see him follow compatriots Thomas Vermaelen and Jan Vertonghen in swapping Ajax for a Premier League club.
Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United been touted as possible destinations over the course of the season, but Liverpool have emerged as a likely option for the 24-year-old in recent weeks. However, Alderweireld, who is on the brink of winning another Eredivisie crown with Ajax, has stressed that no decision on his future will be made until the end of the season.
"I read that Liverpool were interested, but I never said they would be my new club," The Belgian international told Tutto Mercato. "At the end of the season I will evaluate all the possibilities."
Ajax are currently fending off interest in a number of the key members of their squad, with midfielder Christian Eriksen and Siem de Jong also being targeted by a number of clubs from within the Premier League.
Both Alderweireld and Eriksen have been offered new contracts to extend their stay at the Amsterdam Arena beyond this season, but their continued stalling suggests new pastures may beckon.
And this summer could represent an ideal opportunity for both players to move on from Frank de Boer's side, as Ajax close in on their third consecutive Eredivisie title.
Following Jamie Carragher's announcement that he will retire at the end of the current campaign, Liverpool have been searching for another addition to their defence, having been linked with Alderweireld, Feyenoord defender Stefan de Vrij and Swansea captain Ashley Williams.
Brendan Rodgers has indicated he is looking to bring in a defender in the same mould as the 35-year-old vice-captain, aware that he squad will be lack in defensive numbers next season.
"We are going to be light in that area so between now and the end of the season we have to assess it as that is the one area of the field where we haven't brought anyone in," Rodgers told the Mirror last month.
"There is no player who is ever replaceable but he is a big loss because you can see his experience and how he leads the line. You need someone in there who is vocal and organises the line and he does that remarkably well."
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