Southampton fear they will miss out on a permanent move for on loan defender Toby Alderweireld with parent club Atletico Madrid intent on sparking a bidding war for the player. The Belgium international has impressed for the Saints this season prior to sustaining a hamstring injury at Manchester United in January. His performances have been central to Southampton's attempt to finish in the Premier League's top four, and manager Ronald Koeman wants to make the loan move permanent ahead of the next campaign. However, Alderweireld's form has not gone unnoticed elsewhere. Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is understood to be an admirer of the 26-year-old, while Manchester City remain in the hunt for defensive reinforcements with Manuel Pellegrini yet to find the perfect partner for captain Vincent Kompany. Southampton will face a challenge if they want to sign on loan defender Toby Alderweireld (left) permanently . Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino (centre) is understood to be an admirer of the defender . Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini (centre) is keen to add defensive reinforcements to his squad . Pellegrini feels that Alderweireld could act as the perfect partner to captain Vincent Kompany . Both Martin Demichelis and Eliaquim Mangala have been given opportunities but have so far not done enough to convince anybody at the Etihad Stadium that they can help take City to the next level, particularly in Europe. Southampton have a £6.8million option on Alderweireld as part of their loan deal but it's thought Atletico may well use a clause in the deal that stipulates they can essentially pay £1.5m to cancel that and then sell the player to the highest bidder. Alderweireld gets across to tackle Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic (left) during the Premier League game . Alderweireld suffered a hamstring injury during Southampton's 1-0 victory over Manchester United . That would leave Koeman sweating on his attempts to take the former Ajax defender on a full-time basis. Southampton work to a tight budget and know they'd be facing an uphill struggle in striking a deal with Atletico this summer if bigger clubs enter the race. Alderweireld signed for Atletico from Ajax for a fee of £6.2 million in 2013, and the Spanish club are keen to recoup as much of that fee as possible. Alderweireld has 43 caps for Belgium since making his international debut back in 2009 . The 26-year-old slides in with a challenge on Newcastle United's striker Emanuel Riviere (left)
Toby Alderweireld is currently on loan at Southampton from Atletico Madrid .
The Belgium international has impressed with his performances .
His form has not gone unnoticed by some of England's top clubs .
Alderweireld is a reported target for Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino .
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is also in the market for defenders .
Southampton may face a bidding war to sign him permanently in the summer .
Southampton fear they will miss out on a permanent move for on loan defender Toby Alderweireld with parent club Atletico Madrid intent on sparking a bidding war for the player. The Belgium international has impressed for the Saints this season prior to sustaining a hamstring injury at Manchester United in January. His performances have been central to Southampton's attempt to finish in the Premier League's top four, and manager Ronald Koeman wants to make the loan move permanent ahead of the next campaign. However, Alderweireld's form has not gone unnoticed elsewhere. Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is understood to be an admirer of the 26-year-old, while Manchester City remain in the hunt for defensive reinforcements with Manuel Pellegrini yet to find the perfect partner for captain Vincent Kompany. Southampton will face a challenge if they want to sign on loan defender Toby Alderweireld (left) permanently . Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino (centre) is understood to be an admirer of the defender . Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini (centre) is keen to add defensive reinforcements to his squad . Pellegrini feels that Alderweireld could act as the perfect partner to captain Vincent Kompany . Both Martin Demichelis and Eliaquim Mangala have been given opportunities but have so far not done enough to convince anybody at the Etihad Stadium that they can help take City to the next level, particularly in Europe. Southampton have a £6.8million option on Alderweireld as part of their loan deal but it's thought Atletico may well use a clause in the deal that stipulates they can essentially pay £1.5m to cancel that and then sell the player to the highest bidder. Alderweireld gets across to tackle Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic (left) during the Premier League game . Alderweireld suffered a hamstring injury during Southampton's 1-0 victory over Manchester United . That would leave Koeman sweating on his attempts to take the former Ajax defender on a full-time basis. Southampton work to a tight budget and know they'd be facing an uphill struggle in striking a deal with Atletico this summer if bigger clubs enter the race. Alderweireld signed for Atletico from Ajax for a fee of £6.2 million in 2013, and the Spanish club are keen to recoup as much of that fee as possible. Alderweireld has 43 caps for Belgium since making his international debut back in 2009 . The 26-year-old slides in with a challenge on Newcastle United's striker Emanuel Riviere (left)
parent club Atletico Madrid intent on sparking a bidding war for the player. The Belgium international has impressed for the Saints this Manchester United in January. His performances Alderweireld's form has not gone unnoticed elsewhere. Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is Vincent Kompany. Southampton will face a challenge if they want to sign on loan defender Toby Alderweireld (left) permanently . Tottenham Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini (centre)