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This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...

Toby Alderweireld has confirmed that he is hoping to stay at Tottenham Hotspur this season as his release clause nears its expiry, per the Daily Telegraph.

What’s the word?

The report claims that the Belgium international’s current release clause, which stands at £25m, expires on Thursday.

Both Manchester United and Roma have been credited with an interest, per the article, but Alderweireld maintains that he does not intend to push for a move.

The defender’s current contract expires next summer but he maintains that his entire focus is on the 2019/20 season at Spurs, having captained the side in their 3-2 pre-season win over Juventus at the weekend.

He said, after being asked if he intended to remain at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: “Yes. That’s my focus in football. Everything can go quick but all I’m doing is focusing on Spurs and being fit for the start of the season.

“I think the manager [Mauricio Pochettino] knows I am committed to the club and the team but you never know in football. A game like (Juve) I was captain - so that shows the manager has trust in me and I’m showing the right attitude.

“Again, it (a bid coming in for him) can happen but my focus is on Spurs and in my head I will be playing for Spurs.

“I try to deliver the job I need to do – I’m happy and that’s it. I try to come back fit. Of course, everyone has had a good holiday but like we showed, we are where we want to be at the moment.”

A model professional

Alderweireld’s future has been a key point throughout the summer transfer window but his quotes are yet another example of just how professional he has been.

The defender has never let his focus waver and enjoyed an exceptional season in 2018/19 as the club reached the Champions League final and finished in the Premier League top four.

He made a total of 50 appearances in all competitions and is clearly still trusted by Pochettino, who handed him the captain’s armband at the weekend.

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Alderweireld has never been anything short of an assiduous presence at the heart of the backline and would be remarkably hard to replace.

Whether he remains at the club or not, though, one has to feel that he will be admired, such has been his exceptional conduct throughout the campaign.