According to reports in the Daily Mail, Tottenham Hotspur's talks with defender Toby Alderweireld over a new deal have come to a standstill because of his wage demands.

What's the word, then?

Well, the Daily Mail says that discussions between the two parties are at breaking point as the Belgium international is demanding a five-year contract worth well in excess of the north London outfit's £110,000-a-week wage ceiling.

The Daily Mail says the centre-back, who turns 29 next month, is currently earning £50,000-a-week but feels that he deserves a lot more having established himself as one of the best in his position in the Premier League.

The report adds that his contract is due to run out in the summer of 2019 but Spurs have an option to extend it by a further 12 months – although that would activate a clause that would allow him to leave for £25m – with Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal all watching developments closely.

How has Alderweireld done this season?

The 28-year-old was once again impressing at the heart of the defence for Mauricio Pochettino's men at the beginning of the campaign, but he suffered a hamstring injury in the 3-1 win against Real Madrid at the start of November that kept him on the sidelines until the 2-0 success against Newport County last week.

Despite playing 90 minutes against the League Two outfit and declaring himself fit for the north London derby against Arsenal last weekend and the Champions League clash against Juventus on Tuesday night, the Belgian failed to make the squad for either.

While Alderweireld has undoubtedly been a big miss because of the quality he has and the strong partnership he has formed with Jan Vertonghen, Davinson Sanchez has been impressive in his absence.

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What happens next?

Well, Tottenham have a big decision to make.

If there is no chance that a compromise can be found then they could look to sell him this summer for a huge fee while they still can, with the potential that he could leave for £25m in 2019 not being particularly attractive as it is likely well below what they could get for him in the near future.

If Spurs feel that they can get a good replacement elsewhere, they won't hesitate to move the Belgian on but it is certain that they would rather sell him abroad than to a domestic rival.