Spurs star Alderweireld’s agent tells players to walk out of clubs for free rather than take pay cut amid Covid-19 row

TOBY ALDERWEIRELD'S agent has further escalated the row over players' wages by suggesting stars should walk away if their salaries are cut.

Premier League players have come under intense pressure to donate some of their pay packets to the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic.

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Alderweireld's club Tottenham have already caused an uproar by making their non-playing staff furlough despite chairman Daniel Levy's mega salary and bonus.

And now the Belgian's agent, Stijn Francis, believes players can take matters into their own hands if clubs don't pay them in full.

Reported in the , he said: "A 'regular' worker is able to leave his or her employer in exchange for limited compensation or a notice period.

"Also the employer can terminate the relationship with the worker at any time by respecting a period of notice or paying compensation.

"If clubs sign a player they take a risk by paying a transfer or signing-on fee and by paying substantial wages.

"In exchange for this risk, players cannot leave the club before the end of the contract except when all involved parties agree otherwise.

"Players also know that during the contractual term they can be sure the club will pay their salary.

“Clubs now asking to reduce player salaries undermine this principle of contractual stability.

"If clubs insist on a wage reduction, players should be put in the same situation as any regular worker.

"Clubs reducing their players’ wages should accept that the players can terminate their employment for free and these clubs should no longer be able to ask a transfer fee if the player would like to leave.”

Premier League captains have created a Players Together fund to give £4million to the NHS.

The 20 skippers — led by Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson and Manchester United’s Harry Maguire — rubber-stamped the groundbreaking plan after four days of talks.

The move was hailed by Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who had called for players to “take a pay cut and play their part” in the national fight against the killer disease.

Hancock tweeted: “Warmly welcome this big-hearted decision. You are playing your part.”