Tottenham have looked to strike early in this summer’s transfer market in a bid to beef up their defensive options, with three new faces entering the squad and bolstering Mauricio Pochettino’s ranks.

Although Kieran Trippier and Kevin Wimmer both look like players with potential to grow into first-team regulars, most of the White Hart Lane faithful will agree that the capture of Toby Alderweireld is the main piece of business.

After starring on loan last term at Southampton, the powerful Belgian defender has shown that he is more than good enough to excel in the Premier League, and with a season of English football under his belt he is in a great position to step up at Spurs.

With the versatility to play at the heart of his team’s defence and experience of operating at both right-back and even in a defensive midfield role, Alderweireld’s presence will be a real boost for Spurs next term.

However, with the centre of defence an area where Spurs have struggled to find a trusted pairing for as long as most fans can remember, the potential for Alderweireld to partner his compatriot and international team-mate Jan Vertonghen is an enticing prospect.

Vertonghen has established himself as a dependable and technically able member of the White Hart Lane side and someone who Pochettino could well build a team around.

Finding a suitable defensive partner for him has been tricky, though, with Eric Dier, Younes Kaboul, Vlad Chiriches and others all playing alongside the left-footed star with varying levels of success.

For Alderweireld, having a familiar face, as well as fellow Belgians Nacer Chadli and Mousa Dembele present, will ease his entry to the Spurs team.

The new man also knows Vertonghen well from their time together with Ajax, with the pair operating alongside each other in the vastly successful Amsterdam side of recent years.

The duo won Eredivisie titles together with Ajax in 2010/11 and 2011/12, with their defensive understanding and the stamping out of opposition attacks a key element in Frank De Boer’s side.

Having played together so often, the pair will be ready to resume their partnership and have a good understanding of each others' game and a solid friendship.

The man that could well be in line to lose out is seemingly Dier, who has shown all the attributes necessary to be a future international and a player that Spurs could come to rely on in their defence.

The former Sporting Lisbon youngster needs time on the pitch to continue to progress, but due to Alderweireld’s arrival it remains to be seen whether he will get it at White Hart Lane in 2015/16.

Regardless, with Wimmer also in the mix ahead of next term, Spurs look to have more comprehensive cover at the heart of their rearguard, with the Belgian pairing promising to make the North Londoners a much more stubborn team to break down.