Football
Matthew Stanger 6y

Alderweireld's contract standoff has Man City, Chelsea, Real Madrid on alert

Clubs are slowly turning their eyes toward the summer window, and Transfer Talk has the updates on all the latest rumours.

Alderweireld on the outer?

Toby Alderweireld will not travel to Juventus for Tottenham's Champions League round-of-16 clash despite announcing his return to fitness,

City manager Pep Guardiola insisted on Monday that he was simply not willing to put Alderweireld's future at risk by rushing him back in such an imporant game.

But the Belgium international's absence has raised doubts about his future as negotiations over a new contract drag on, reports the Telegraph.

The 28-year-old has a deal that runs until 2020 but, if the paper is to be believed, his contract features "a £25 million release clause that could be activated in the summer of 2019."

All of which means that -- if a new deal can't be agreed -- Spurs may be forced to cash-in on their defender before then, with Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid all circling.

Isco on Manchester United's radar

Sometime Real Madrid first-teamer Isco sits high on Manchester United's summer shortlist, according to the Daily Star.

The 25-year-old is thought to be surplus to requirements at Real, having started only 14 matches in La Liga this season.

Manchester City have also expressed an interest in Isco, according to the Star's report, but their primary focus is on completing a move for Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred.

While Isco has been a peripheral figure at Madrid this season, his situation could change if Zinedine Zidane is replaced as manager.

Silva lining for Chelsea?

Antonio Conte is edging towards the Chelsea exit door following defeats to Bournemouth and Watford, and his departure could be sealed if the Blues fail to beat West Brom on Monday.

Roman Abramovich still has Guus Hiddink's name on speed dial, but another candidate to take charge in a caretaker capacity until the end of the season is Marco Silva, reports The Times.

With Luis Enrique reportedly lined up to be appointed in the summer, the former Watford boss would only be keeping the hot seat warm until May, but it would be a welcome opportunity to restore his damaged reputation.

Silva impressed at Hull City last season, and during the start of his Watford reign, almost leading the Hornets to a famous result at Stamford Bridge in October.

Tap-ins

- Riyad Mahrez held clear-the-air talks with his Leicester teammates after missing two matches and going AWOL from training, says the Leicester Mercury. The winger made his return to action at Manchester City on Saturday after Pep Guardiola's side tried to sign him in January.

- Real Madrid will focus their efforts on signing Thibaut Courtois instead of David De Gea, according to TalkSPORT. The La Liga champions are in the market for a new goalkeeper and believe it will be easier to convince Courtois to join them ahead of resurrecting a move for De Gea.

- Fernando Llorente has also risked upsetting Mauricio Pochettino by saying he would love to return to Juventus, says the Daily Mirror. The striker has had to settle for a bench role this season after moving from Swansea.

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