Reports are emerging that Athletico Madrid have failed to cancel Saints buy out clause for Toby Alderweireld.

Sky Sports are saying that Saints as is known had an option to buy Toby Alderweireld for £6.8 million at the end of his loan period, however Athletico Madrid had the option to buy out that clause for £1.5 million and it was expected that they were going to do so,

It's now emerging that the Spanish Club have failed to exercise that right and that Saints are prepared to take legal action if Athletico do a deal with Spurs for the player ahead of them.

Crucially it is also reported that Alderweireld himself is happy to stay at Saints although he would not be adverse to moving to Spurs if they had won the bidding war that Athletico were hoping to instigate.

At the moment its all a little muddled but it should become clear within the next few days.

Certainly Athletico do not appear to have been that ethical in the way they have conducted their business over the past month, firstly trying to force a deal with Chelsea as part of a deal that would bring Felipe Luis to Spain and waging a media campaign that made many believe that Chelsea were desperate to sign Alderweireld.

Then they courted Spurs to drive up the price, now it seems that in all the commotion they forgot to do their paperwork and might well now pay the price.

In essence it could be a useful bargaining tool for Saints, I for one would be quite happy to see a compromise reached where we signed Alderweireld even if it meant paying slightly more than the contracted £6.8 million in order to smooth through the deal.

Photo: Action Images

aceofthebase added 21:26 - Jul 5 A compromise that meant we kept Toby would still be a great deal.
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aceofthebase added 21:27 - Jul 5 But dont tell Athletico that just yet!
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bstokesaint added 21:32 - Jul 5 I want to believe it, but just can't allow myself. This would be the mother of all **** ups. Could we really be that fortunate? Or was Les expecting Madrid to open negotiations with Saints knowing the clause hadn't been exercised, whilst at the same time Madrid tried to steal the upperhand over the weekend? It all sounds a bit shady.
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pintsizedsaint added 22:30 - Jul 5 Athletico are hardly coming across as a professional unit here. In fact, they are coming across as idiotic loons. Some great lessons here for Saints on what should go into a contract. Can't blame Spurs, who were probably given signals that AM were willing to listen to all offers. All the while, Saints were probably looking at the contract and laughing as the buy-out clause term expired. I hope this doesn't turn into a legal wrangle as AM just sell and decide to take their chance in court. But if it does, I hope we milk AM for everything (including costs) and make them look hard at how ridiculous they look as a football club at the moment.

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A1079 added 23:07 - Jul 5 Whatever the blooming situation, I hope this and the Schneidelin is he/isn't he staying are resolved this week. Preferably staying with us, but if not, get it sorted so that we have time to fill the inevitable gaps that the loss of these 2 will have on the team.
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schatfield added 08:49 - Jul 6 it's a bit depressing really, I read reports that Spurs have agreed a deal with AM for £11.8M....if that is true, why don't we trump them? I know we had a clause saying 6ism M and that is quite a difference, but we all saw how good the defender is, and he could be the difference between an average season and a really good season. That is surely worth paying around 5M extra isn't it? The guy is absolutely quality and I would be gutted if he joined a rival because we sat on our hands believing we had the right of the law on our side and wanted to pay on the cheap.

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Herts_Saint added 08:57 - Jul 6 Yes, a compromise deal and an agreement not to take legal action, or, just bid £1 more than Spurs. He's worth it. Would be very satisfying to have Spurs over on this one.
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montecristo added 14:45 - Jul 6 seeing the comments here I feel obliged to submit my tuppence worth as I see it Saints are in the driving seat as clearly they have a binding agreement signed by both player and selling club, which if welshed upon would lead Saints to submitting a complaint to FIFA or EUFA havent got time to check which, againts both purs and Atletico for entering into an agreement when there was already a binding agreement in place. There are those who think that Spurs are in the clear, but thats simply not true and why no medical has taken place.This story has a lot more to run I think. What is more, both Spurs and Atletico run the risk of having a transfer embargo being imposed upon them for breach of transfer rules.

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amsterdamsaint added 14:56 - Jul 6 Hope hè stays with us. On another note, Anyone Staying in Amsterdam for the Tour ? I would be happy to help with cheap train tickets to matches, (Grongingen is €49.80 return for example, but I can get tickets for €10 p.p. If I can get a group together- my sister in law works for NS the train service )places to go, great pub to meet in before matches etc. Nick, you must have my email address, if you send requests on and I will be happy to help fellow Saints. Or put it on here. I don't mind. Cheers, Stuart.

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montecristo added 20:43 - Jul 6 to add to previous comments the reason Saints have delayed is because ATLETICO refused to complete at the agreed price forcing Saints to wait until their option to recall the player had elapsed.It would not be legal for the option to be drafted to allow dealing in bad faith, which is exactly what recalling the player with no intention to retain him but to resell him at a higher price. Think about it it makes sense , right??They now will have to ask a court in Spain to allow the transfer to go ahead unilaterally, which could take a few days.If Atletico have any sense they will stop short of actual proceedings which could prove costly for them. Spurs on theother hand, could find themselves in trouble for either contempt of court, or breach of transfer regulations under FIFA OR EUFA cant be bothered to check which..such matters are often resolved in this way here.

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montecristo added 20:44 - Jul 6 always assuming tha t thefacts are as they have been reported!!!
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