Roma 'cannot afford Toby Alderweireld release clause'

Roma reportedly cannot afford to activate the £25m release clause in Toby Alderweireld's Tottenham Hotspur deal.

The Italian giants have been linked with a swoop for the Belgium international, but it has been claimed that the club are only prepared to pay £18m to land the centre-back this summer.

According to The Mirror, Paulo Fonseca's team cannot afford to meet Alderweireld's buy-out figure, placing their pursuit of the defender in severe doubt.

Roma announced the arrival of Atalanta BC centre-back Gianluca Mancini on Wednesday, meanwhile, suggesting that the Serie A side would no longer be prioritising a swoop for Alderweireld.

The current release clause in the Belgian's contract will expire before the end of this month.

Manchester United have previously been credited with an interest, although it is thought that the Red Devils are closing in on a deal for Leicester City's Harry Maguire.