Southampton set to sue Atletico Madrid if Tottenham Hotspur sign Toby Alderweireld

Toby Alderweireld is involved in a three-way tussle between Southampton, Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur

Southampton could consider taking legal action against Tottenham Hotspur if they sign Toby Alderweireld from Atletico Madrid, according to The Guardian. The Saints have a £6.8 million buy-out clause for the Belgian international as well as first refusal on the player and reports suggested that Atletico Madrid failed to cancel the clause for £1.5m within the stipulated time,

The 26-year-old spent the 2014/15 season on loan at Southampton after being deemed surplus to requirements at Atletico. He enjoyed a breakthrough season at St. Mary's, helping the club finish seventh in the EPL after making a total of 25 appearances.

The Ajax youth graduate been targeted by the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur this summer, but Spurs seem to be leading the race for his signature following club chairman Daniel Levy’s visit to Spain over the weekend. He held talks with Atletico Madrid chief executive Miguel Angel Gil and a fee of around £11.5m was agreed by both the clubs, as reported by Daily Mail.

Atletico Madrid will decide my future: Toby Alderweireld

Meanwhile, Alderweireld has conceded that his future lies in the hands of his parent club while aslo maintaining that he prefers to stay in England.

"The only thing I can say is that I'm happy in England, but it isn't just up to me.

“I had a fantastic season at Southampton and after I have been on holiday I will talk with Atletico,” he told The Mirror.

"I don't have an answer now, but hopefully Atletico will tell me quickly what is happening. It would be good to come back to England.”

Ronald Koeman wants Alderweireld to stay at Southampton

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman had earlier spoken of his wish to retain the player on a permanent basis at the St. Mary's. He had said in The Guardian, "The player likes to stay, we like to keep the player but it’s a little difficult at the moment with Atlético Madrid. I have a good hope he will stay."

Southampton had enjoyed an excellent 2014/15 season in the Premier League under Koeman’s managerial debut at the south-coast club. After losing right-back Nathaniel Clyne to Liverpool in a £12.5 million deal, the club are now resigned to losing another one of their star players – Morgan Schneiderlin.

The French midfielder has been given permission to leave the club as Manchester United ready a second bid for the player after seeing their first bid rejected by Southampton, according to The Independent.