Toby Alderweireld says he chose loyalty over money in order to stay at Tottenham. The Belgium centre-back, 30, was in the final year of his contract and had interest from Roma before extending his Spurs deal last month.

Other considerations included family, with his wife Shani Van Mieghem expecting their second child. And Jose Mourinho’s appointment helped him decide to extend his five-year stay at the club.

“Financially the club made a good effort that showed me they really wanted me so that gave me respect,” said Alderweireld. “I could maybe earn a lot more somewhere else, but then I chose loyalty, that’s worth something as well.

“I talked to my wife, we have a second kid on the way. First of all, I asked her: ‘What do you want?’ She said she’s happy to stay, she loves it here, but that I can choose whatever I want. That gave me the opportunity to explore everything that I wanted.

“But the more that I thought about a new episode somewhere else, the more I thought, ‘No, I just want to stay.’ I’ve always been happy here since day one. I’ve felt very wanted here and have a very good connection with the fans.