Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld has refused to rule out a return to former club Ajax at some point in the future.

The Belgium international came through the ranks at the Dutch outfit and spent eight years at the club before joining Atletico Madrid in 2013.

Alderweireld has since established himself as one of the leading defenders in the Premier League and was heavily linked with a big-money move to Manchester United during the summer, but he is open to the idea of rejoining Ajax later in his career.

"Never say never. At this moment in my career I don't think about that yet. I think I can go on for years at this level. If I ever did, it is not to take it easy," the 29-year-old told De Telegraaf.

"I do not want to be 36 years old and can hardly walk. When I return, I certainly want to leave something. And not only in the dressing room.

"Of course it is close to home in Belgium and I have a bond with the club, because I played football at Ajax for eight years. Achieving championships, the third star, experience."

Alderweireld made 186 appearances for the Ajax senior team, helping them to three successive Eredivisie titles.