As number of national newspapers across Europe have continued to release information from an enormous data dump from the 'Football Leaks' website, further revelations have surfaced about some of the best known in the world of football, particularly those with a Belgian connection.
Previously it was revealed, by the documentsobtained by Der Spiegel and published byLe Soir,that Tottenham's star defender Toby Alderweireld's contract contains a less than off-putting €30m (£25m) release clause.
Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that Toby Alderweireld will be in the squad to face CSKA Moscow tomorrow. #THFC pic.twitter.com/mIPCH1RjIB
However, with many of Europe's heavy hitters scrambling to get out their checkbooks, new light has been shed by the leaks, which suggest that while the former Atletico Madrid star does indeed have the clause in his contract, it can't be activated until 2019, at the end of his current deal,when the defender will be 30.
The clause was apparentlyinserted as a precautionary measure by Spurs to prevent one of their prized assets leaving on a free at the end of his deal.
Football Leaks | Toby Alderweireld & the 30 million release clause? https://t.co/p6wOGqOGUZ
The White Hart Lane hierarchy have been understandably keen to extend Alderwireld's deal and reportedly began negotiations to tie the player down beyond 2019, before the leaks occurred.
TheDaily Mailreports thatthe Belgian international is expected toget a raise to around£70,000 (a bump of £20,000)per week, and will follow in the path of Harry Kane and Jan Vertonghen who both put pen to paper on lucrative extensions.
As quoted by the Mail, Spurs bossMauricio Pochettino, who confirmed contract talks were in progress,insisted that the buy-out clauses were nothing but fiction, stating:"I never heard of that in England."
12 newspapers, including the Sunday Times, have worked for seven months to comb through 1.9TB of information handed to German paper Der Spiegel earlier in the year. Last Friday saw the initial reporting of the information obtained, with tax scandals galore, and more revelations are expected over the coming days and weeks.