Ronald Koeman: 'Toby Alderweireld wants to return to Southampton'

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has claimed that Toby Alderweireld wants to return to the club.

Alderweireld impressed on loan from Atletico Madrid last season, but reports have suggested that Tottenham Hotspur are leading the race to sign the Belgian defender to a permanent deal.

However, Koeman believes that the 26-year-old would prefer to be at St Mary's Stadium when the new campaign gets underway.

"The player would like to stay and we would like to keep him," the Saints boss told reporters. "But it is a little difficult at the moment with Atletico Madrid. I have a great hope that he will stay with Southampton."

Alderweireld has previously been linked with Chelsea.