AS Roma’s Sporting Director Gianluca Petrachi has confirmed to Football Italia that the club are negotiating with Tottenham over a deal for Toby Alderweireld.
The 30-year-old has a release clause of £25 million pounds which can be activated until the final two weeks of the transfer window (The Guardian).
Petrachi told Football Italia that Roma are aware of the release clause in the Belgian’s contract and that he hopes that former Tottenham Technical Director Franco Baldini, who is now employed by the Serie A side can get the deal over the line.
Petrachi said to Football Italia: “I said the same to Baldini, who can be a resource for us.
“I realise there is a release clause for Alderweireld, but Baldini has a strong rapport with Spurs directors, he worked there for many years and can support Roma in signing Alderweireld.”
The report claims that Baldini is in London at the moment negotiating with Spurs for the former Ajax defender but Petrachi was quick to dismiss suggestions that Baldini was negotiating on the club’s behalf.
He added: “If you want to say that Baldini negotiates on our behalf, then that is incorrect.
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“I want it to be clear that he is of support to Roma and in the specific case of Alderweireld is an idea to help us save a bit of money.
“We’d be happy if we could sign him tomorrow without paying the release clause.”
The Evening Standard confirmed that Alderweireld is expected to travel to Singapore with the rest of the squad as they look forward to their first pre-season game on Sunday against Juventus.
Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla meanwhile has claimed that the Lilywhites are willing to offer the Italian club €27M plus Alderweireld for Nicolo Zaniolo.
Spurs Web Opinion
Based on the volume of recent reports, it does look like Alderweireld’s move to Roma will come to fruition. It would certainly not represent a step up for the 30-year-old and the Italian club are unlikely to offer him more than he would get at Spurs if he signs a new contract.
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