Belgium defender Alderweireld will return to Atletico next season
Southampton's hopes of signing on-loan Toby Alderweireld on a permanent basis have been dealt a blow after Atletico Madrid suggested the Belgium defender will be a key player for the Spanish club next season.
Alderweireld joined Atletico from Ajax in the summer of 2013 but played a peripheral role last term as Diego Simeone's team won the La Liga title.
He subsequently joined Southampton on a season-long loan, and has been a key figure under Ronald Koeman at St Mary's.
His performances have led to speculation that Southampton will look to sign him on a full-time basis, but Atletico sporting director Jose Luis Caminero insists the 26-year-old is part of Simeone's plans for 2015-16.
"Our coaches follow a detailed monitoring of all the players that are loaned to other teams," said Caminero. "We are very pleased with their performance and growth in general.
"Oliver and Alderweireld, for example, are finishing a very good season with Porto and Southampton and we are counting on them for the next campaign."
