Southampton are reportedly attempting to force Atletico Madrid to sell Tottenham Hotspur target Toby Alderweireld to them by threatening legal action should they let him join another club.

Saints manager Ronald Koeman had previously expressed his desire to sign Alderweireld, saying: “The player likes to stay.

"We like to keep the player but it’s a little difficult at the moment with Atletico Madrid, I have a good hope he will stay at Southampton.”

In recent days Spurs seemed to have edged ahead in the race to sign the Belgian international, prompting current Spurs defender and international teammate Jan Vertonghen to comment: “Toby is welcome. There are already a lot of good players around with us, but every footballer with quality is welcome."

However, it appears increasingly likely the Saints will attempt to hijack the deal. BBC Sport are reporting they had a clause inserted in his loan deal which stated they could sign the player permanently for £6.8 million.

Atletico could buy it back for £1.5 million and subsequently sell the centre-back to the highest bidder. Yet Southampton claim the deadline for the Spanish outfit to do so has already passed and are threatening legal action against Atleti as a result.

Alderweireld made 26 appearances and scored one goal for Southampton last term and has appeared 47 times for the Belgian national team.