Saints are continuing to assess their options after Toby Alderweireld turned down a move to St Mary’s in favour of a switch to Tottenham.

The club have discussed the possibility of seeking compensation from Atletico Madrid after a dispute over the clause that entitled the Spanish club to cancel Saints’ £6.8m purchase option.

However, they may just choose to move as, disappointingly for them, the player ultimately chose to join former Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino at White Hart Lane rather than extend his stay at St Mary’s.

It is understood that Alderweireld’s representatives informed Saints at the start of the week that he intended to join Tottenham.

Up until that point Saints were still hopeful of landing the Belgian centre half, who starred on loan at the club last season.

They agreed a £6.8m permanent option before the loan period began last year, with Atletico having the right to cancel it for £1.5m.

Behind the scenes there has been claim and counter claim over whether the terms of the deal have been adhered to by both sides.

 

Tottenham saw the chance to steal in and offer around £11m for Alderweireld, which Atletico accepted. It is believed that Saints would have matched that offer, but were informed that the player wished to join Spurs.

At that stage Saints had no option but to give up their chase and start to consider other targets, with Ron Vlaar, who was on the club’s shortlist last summer before the signing of Alderweireld, immediately linked with the club.

However, the Daily Echo understands that Saints are not set to make a move for Vlaar.