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Alderweireld focused on Spurs, not transfer

Toby Alderweireld has admitted that he expects to start the season with Tottenham with no club having yet triggered his £25 million release clause which is due to expire on Thursday.

Spurs triggered a 12-month extension on his contract last December to keep Alderweireld at the club until Jun 2020, and a clause was inserted to enable buying clubs to sign the player for just £25m this summer.

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However, a key part of that was the stipulation that it would only apply from the start of the summer transfer window until 14 days before the Aug. 8 transfer deadline, so Alderweireld's price-tag will be back in the control of Spurs chairman Daniel Levy if he a remains a Tottenham player after Thursday.

The defender is due to face Manchester United in Shanghai on Thursday in the International Champions Cup, and said he is now focusing on being a Spurs player when the new season kicks off next month.

"My focus is on Spurs and, in my head, I will be playing for Spurs," Alderweireld said. "I want to say one thing. My focus is on Spurs and I try to deliver the job I need to do -- I'm happy and that's it.

"In football, everything can go quick, but all I'm doing is focusing on Spurs and being fit for the start of the season.

"I think the manager knows I am committed to the club and the team, but you never know in football.

"I was captain against Juventus [in Singapore] so that shows the manager has trust in me and I'm showing the right attitude."

Despite the uncertainty over his future, Alderweireld said it has not been difficult to focus on his football at Spurs.

"From day one, I do what I need to do," he said. "I am happy and. I think that is the way the manager wants us to play, to give everything to the team and work hard and that's it.

"I am here, I work hard and do what needs to be done and it's tough because preseason is tough.

"I do my best. Like in every club I've been at, from day one, I do my best."