Tuesday, 18th June, 2013
Bayer Leverkusen’s interest in Ajax star Toby Alderweireld is no longer an open secret, with the Bundesliga side officially confirming they are in pursuit of the player.
Just days after Alderweireld’s father Vic Alderweireld confirmed that Leverkusen were leading the race to sign his son, the club’s press officer has moved to speak openly on the matter.
Alderweireld has just one year left on his contract with Ajax and looks set to become the latest arrival at Leverkusen, after last week’s capture of Son Heung-Min from Hamburg.
However, with Arsenal and Liverpool having been linked with the 24-year-old, the quest to land Alderweireld’s signature is not being taken for granted.
relatedNewsStory
"It is clear that we are interested", Leverkusen’s press officer Dirk Mesch told RTV Noord-Holland. "But there is still much to be done. Furthermore, we say nothing about it, because he is not under contract with us.
"Alderweireld is one of the players that we have interest in. We need to see who we most like and which player would like to come to us.
"Do we have a deadline? No, the transfer is our deadline."
Alderweireld has previously expressed an admiration for the Premier League in England, and despite Leverkusen’s interest, the player’s father is wary of rushing things.
The Belgian defender’s 33 Eredivisie appearances this season have impressed enough, and a choice of clubs is keeping Vic Alderweireld’s hands full.
However, he was quoted by Het Nieuwsblad as saying: "It would be regrettable if Toby already takes up an offer and subsequently an interesting club emerges."
Like betting on football? You simply must check out Inside Bet!
