Toby Alderweireld has lifted the lid on stalling on signing his new contract with Tottenham.

The 30-year-old signed a three-and-a-half year extension to his current deal in December even though most thought he would leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph he said: "Financially the club made a good effort that showed me they really wanted me so that gave me respect. 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."

Alderweireld also admitted the lure of playing under Mourinho was another factor in his decision to remain at Spurs.

He added: "Then, of course, the last step was the manager, who really believed in me. I had a good connection with him from day one.

"After five, six years with the previous manager, with a lot of respect to him, maybe to give a different wind, that helped a bit."