Player watch: Toby Alderweireld

[Ghost Hardware]

Even if Toby has turned out to be a big dick head, I will still miss him a lot.

Yeah, I agree. It's going to suck seeing him play for Utd regardless of Martial. Although getting him will make this a little better. Not getting him will sting tho, big time.

 

[wrd]

You won't stay softened for long if you're expecting us to spend what £120m next week with probably only £60m coming back in.

Tell me about it.

 

[zicomerc]

If we could somehow do a deal for both Toby and Rose, for Martial and Shaw with no money changing hands I would do it.

United and Mourinho like the finished article and they would have that with Toby and Rose, and Poch works better with younger players who are hungry. I'm not Shaw's biggest fan but I've learnt from the last few transfer windows that we won't probably sign anyone better.

Both clubs can claim they got the better deal too if they can let go of their ego.

 

[dtxspurs]

He's got the money. What are people going to do? Stay away? Demonstrate? He's still got the money.....

I don't think Levy actually thinks like that, at least I hope not. Surely he has some sort of compassion for fans opinion.

 

[Cel]

Nothing to do with hate. Maureen is a bit of a bully and the UTD money men, believe Spurs are beneath them. They don't believe they have to do anything, and that it's their right to take Toby, and not deal with us in return. Same old crap. Either Levy tells them to eff themselves or gets Martial or charges them 100M to quench the rabid anger of the fans.

Therein kinda lies the problem, Utd don't have to do anything. It's not as if they are trying to do anything underhanded - we have put Toby on the market. Financially they are a powerhouse & 100% are above us, it's not that we are small, it's that they are a behemoth in terms of revenue - they punch at a different weight - we don't have any leverage there. Though they might not ideally want to, they could easily afford to let the UK window close and chance getting a good deal abroad for martial if they really don't want to sell to a rival. If Levy tells them to Eff themselves, I think they'll just shrug, say "well he wants us, good luck with your unhappy player, we'll be back in Jan. Get him fit for us, would you?"

 

[cabinfever]

He's got the money. What are people going to do? Stay away? Demonstrate? He's still got the money.....

Wonder how things would be if nobody renewed their season tickets 'till the TW was closed!!

 

[Setzthree]

I don't think Levy actually thinks like that, at least I hope not. Surely he has some sort of compassion for fans opinion.

 

[viktorviktor]

I've softened slightly, if he can get us a decent winger (zaha) with the money just get grealish and a dm like diawara through the door then I don't need martial. Sessegnon and De ligt next season and then the treble.

Why all this talk about a DM if Toby goes? We have two already in Dier and Vic. Dier can deputize both positions, and Foyth will hopefully play a larger role as well.

 

[SpartanSpur]

I don't think Levy actually thinks like that, at least I hope not. Surely he has some sort of compassion for fans opinion.

The problem is I don't think Poch cares too much about selling him to Utd. He'll just want him out to the highest bidder and the money to be reinvested.

He'll put Poch before the fans, fair enough.

 

[tiger666]

We must must have one big signing going into new stadium.

If that's also what the manager wants yes. If it's something some fans want then no.

 

[wrd]

Why all this talk about a DM if Toby goes? We have two already in Dier and Vic. Dier can deputize both positions, and Foyth will hopefully play a larger role as well.

Few articles came out from people who have a good line with the club saying we are looking for defensive mid and forward along with grealish.

 

[ToDarrenIsToDo]

They gave arsenal Mikytarian in exchange for Sanchez, so they have previous - I wonder how hard the gooners had to push to get him included?

Swapping Mikytarian for a player is different to swapping Martial for a player. He's a nice player but he was never going to develop further than he has so the swap deal wasn't as risky for Man U or Mourinho when it comes to a prodigy that could explode.

The risk of that happening with Martial is greater so I can see their reluctance to do a swap deal on this one compared with the one they did with Arsenal

 

[archiewasking]

Why all this talk about a DM if Toby goes? We have two already in Dier and Vic. Dier can deputize both positions, and Foyth will hopefully play a larger role as well.

Vic has another injury. Dier has brainfarts both at DM and CB - tbh I'm not confident of him in either role. What's left, Amos? I like the lad, but it would be a big ask for him to step up.

 

[Cel]

Swapping Mikytarian for a player is different to swapping Martial for a player. He's a nice player but he was never going to develop further than he has so the swap deal wasn't as risky for Man U or Mourinho when it comes to a prodigy that could explode.

The risk of that happening with Martial is greater so I can see their reluctance to do a swap deal on this one compared with the one they did with Arsenal

That deal to me always seemed more about saving face - do you sell your crown jewel to Utd for £20m, or do you swap him for a player and muddy the waters a bit on the values of the transfer

 

[SpartanSpur]

Therein kinda lies the problem, Utd don't have to do anything. It's not as if they are trying to do anything underhanded - we have put Toby on the market. Financially they are a powerhouse & 100% are above us, it's not that we are small, it's that they are a behemoth in terms of revenue - they punch at a different weight - we don't have any leverage there. Though they might not ideally want to, they could easily afford to let the UK window close and chance getting a good deal abroad for martial if they really don't want to sell to a rival. If Levy tells them to Eff themselves, I think they'll just shrug, say "well he wants us, good luck with your unhappy player, we'll be back in Jan. Get him fit for us, would you?"

I think you are on the right track but I think you underplay some of their wishes.

They clearly want a CB now, Alderweireld is their #1 target, Maguire is even more expensive, Mina isn't really good enough, and Boateng is a similar age and not much cheaper either. I think they need one this summer so we do have some power.

Martial's position seems untenable, and I think you are right in they can take a hit abroad, but if he's the key to their best target, and the effective fee is that much higher than what they'd get, maybe they have to relent.

If Mina really is an attempt to catch Levy out maybe they are starting to crack!

The catch is that as you rightly say they are a financial powerhouse and can get out of jail by offering a large amount of straight cash, which is the odds on outcome.

 

[SpartanSpur]

If that's also what the manager wants yes. If it's something some fans want then no.

I doubt Poch cares about the marquee signing as a concept, but I think it's unlikely we'd spend so long working on the likes of Martial or Zaha if he wasn't bothered about adding a player of that quality and expense.

 

[tiger666]

I doubt Poch cares about the marquee signing as a concept, but I think it's unlikely we'd spend so long working on the likes of Martial or Zaha if he wasn't bothered about adding a player of that quality and expense.

Yes, obviously. It's this notion that we must make one marquee signing. I wasn't talking about Martial specifically.

 

[Lighty64]

FWIW, I agree on the stance of 'No Martial = No Toby' time to make a big club stance. You rarely see our rivals getting bent over in the same way. Sell Toby without it being on our terms, and its shows we moved no further forward than the Berbatov/Campbell era.
I understand there may be financial ramifications, but we may still have the option of selling abroad after our window closes.

myself we are most probably pricing him so high knowing the only suitors are Man U. if they agree a deal with Martial coming the other way, I'd expect that the deal will be regarded as undisclosed both ways, but most probably cost us extra to get Martial.

if United refuse to deal with Martial coming to us, then Levy and Poch need to discus what the options are. if Toby was been as bad as the rumours, then Poch might not want him anywhere near the 1st team. Now I'm sure Jan isn't happy with his mates actions (if he knows about them) but Toby training with the U23's might damage squad harmony. none of us know if Toby stays and does play he will be as professional as we need, especially as I'd expect the only appearances he will make will be cup games. if it causes disharmony he will then be told to stay at home.

If Man U offer us 50-55m on deadline day, but refuse Martial I expect the club to accept the deal. if a team from Europe came in and offered 35m I'd hope they took that deal. we do not hold any aces, they want Toby, and we don't. We want Martial, and their club not Moaninho want Martial. I think the only way he get any help on this is if Martial actually hands in a transfer request.

the only reason I won't be upset if it just ends up with Toby going their way, is due to his actions I want him gone now, hold on for a year and he might go anywhere, and we won't be able to stop it if Arse, or Chelsea match the 25m, and also I'm not that bothered with Martial

 

[TheAmerican]

Bonnuci just went for €35m (£31.4m) in league. I’d say €50m is about value for Toby, honestly.

 

[etchedchaos]

Bonnuci just went for €35m (£31.4m) in league. I’d say €50m is about value for Toby, honestly.

Uh, Higuain was also involved in that deal. So y'know that could easily suppress Bonnucci's fee.