Saints face an uphill task as they attempt to avoid getting dragged into a bidding war for Toby Alderweireld.

The Belgian defender is away on international duty at the moment, still unsure what the future holds for him.

Saints are keen to make his season long loan deal from Atletico Madrid a permanent switch as soon as possible, but it doesn’t look like being at all straightforward.

When Saints struck the loan deal they had a fixed purchase option of £6.8m included in the paperwork.

However, in an unusual twist for such a deal, Atletico also had the right to buy out that option for around £1.5m, believed to be roughly the loan fee Saints paid out to have Alderweireld at St Mary’s for the season.

The Daily Echo understands that Atletico have signalled their intention to pay out that money.

That then leaves just two options on the table.

The first is that Atletico will keep the player for themselves, and Alderweireld will be performing in Madrid again next season.

The other, and what sources indicate is their current thinking, will be to try and sell Alderweireld for as much money as they can get.

Atletico realise that Alderweireld’s stock has risen considerably following a quite brilliant campaign at St Mary’s.

His value is not only well in excess of the £6.8m agreed before the start of the campaign, but plenty more than the £8.3m that would include their £1.5m buy back clause.

Saints are understood to have been hoping to do a deal at around the £10m mark should this situation arise.

However, that may prove optimistic with Atletico keen to spark as much of a bidding war as they can.

Reports this week suggest that Atletico have offered Alderweireld to Chelsea as part of their summer transfer strategy. There is no suggestion at this time though that the Blues intend to press ahead with any such move.

Securing Alderweireld is a summer transfer priority for Ronald Koeman, who recognises the impact he had on his side last year, helping them to have one of the best defensive records in English football.

As well as that Alderweireld has the versatility to play in central midfield, as he did on a number of occasions as Saints finished seventh in the top flight and qualified for the Europa League.

The club though is very prudent and will not want to get dragged into the kind of bidding war that Atletico are likely to wish to spark.

The Spanish club know there is plenty of interest, including from side in the Champions League, and are likely to use every bit of leverage they can to get the best price for Alderweireld.

After the end of the season Koeman admitted: “Toby is more difficult. He is still with Atletico Madrid. The player likes to stay and we like to keep Toby but it is not all about us.”