Liverpool have stepped up their interest in Toby Alderweireld. The Premier League club has already begun discussions with Atletico Madrid over a possible transfer according to The Metro.
The player, who The Daily Star report was a target for Liverpool last season, may be available for a fee of around £7 million having had limited playing time in Spain.
The 25 year old Belgian began his career at Germinal Beerschot before moving to Ajax to continue his development. He then broke into the senior squad in 2008 and went on to make over 100 appearances for the Dutch side. He is now regarded as a regular in the Belgium national side which is enjoying something of a golden generation.
In 2013, he joined Atletico Madrid on a four year contract for a fee of €7 million euro.
However, since joining the La Liga champions he has only made 12 league appearances. Although apparently out-of-favour at the Spanish club, he was still picked as part of Belgium’s national side for the 2014 World Cup. He has since gone on to start in their first game against Algeria.
The possibility of playing regular first team football may well be enough to convince the young defender to make the move to The Premier League if Liverpool can agree a transfer fee with Atletico.
Alderweireld would certainly be a useful signing for Liverpool. Their defence was widely seen as a perceived weakness last season and was pinpointed by pundits as one of the main reasons that they failed to follow through on their title challenge.
With the Merseyside club also set to play in The Champions League for the first time since 2010 it is essential that they expand their squad in terms of depth and quality.
As an established international, who already has 38 caps, and with his versatility at being able to play as both right back and centre back, Alderweireld could prove an astute signing.
