Poyet rejected by Atleti defender

Cape Town  - Belgium defender Toby Alderweireld rejected the chance to join Sunderland forcing the English club to move onto another target.

The Times report that Sunderland have failed in a bid to bring Toby Alderweireld to the Stadium of Light.

Toby Alderweireld was a key part in Atletico Madrid's charge to the La Liga title as well as Belgium's progression from the group stage in Brazil which prompted Gus Poyet to launch an audacious bid to bring the player to the English Premiership.

Reports suggest that Alderweireld was not prepared to join a club who was not competing in European competitions this season.

Sunderland have now made Celtic's Virgil van Dijk their top priority.

The Black Cats have moved swiftly to sign the player with a £6 million offer.

Van Dijk, a 23-year-old centre back, may be a allowed to leave the Scottish giants after their failure to qualify for the Champions League group stage.