Tottenham target Sampdoria’s Joachim Andersen as Toby Alderweireld replacement

Tottenham Hotspur view Sampdoria’s Joachim Andersen as the likeliest replacement for Toby Alderweireld, should the Belgian leave in the summer.

The club have extended Alderweireld’s contract by a year, but the terms of the deal mean a clause can be actioned so that he can go for £25m this summer with Tottenham unable to do anything about it.

That has naturally led the club to make alternative plans – particularly with Paris Saint-Germain interested in Alderweireld – and Andersen is seen as the top possible replacement.

The 22-year-old Danish international has progressed hugely at Sampdoria over the last year, and clubs like Manchester United have similarly be looking at the youngster. Andersen would likely cost around £35m.

Standing at over 6ft 2in, the commanding centre-half has made 16 caps for his country, and moved from the Eredivisie’s FC Twente in August 2017.

Tottenham’s interest in Andersen comes amid Real Madrid’s growing attempts to prise Christian Eriksen from the north London club.

The struggling European champions are planning an overhaul of their squad this summer, and want one of Eriksen or Chelsea’s Eden Hazard to be their new playmaker, though the Dane is seen as more attainable.

The Independent understands there has already been contact between intermediaries representing the midfielder and Madrid.