Manchester United have stepped up negotiations in a bid to try and prise centre back Toby Alderweireld away from Tottenham this summer for a fee of £55million, according to a report.
The Manchester Evening News claim on their website that Jose Mourinho has identified signing the 29-year-old as one of his top priorities heading into the transfer market as he looks to bolster his back line with a number of new recruits.
The Belgian enforcer, who United are said to have held long-term interest in, looks set to leave after a breakdown in negotiations over a new contract, leaving him with a £25million release clause to be activated next summer and giving Spurs little choice but to cash in now.
The stunning £55million swoop would make Alderweireld, who appeared 21 times in the season just gone, United’s most expensive defensive signing ever.
Good move for Manchester United/Tottenham?
There can be little argument that Alderweireld has established himself as one of the very best defenders in the Premier League and whoever prises him away from Spurs is getting their hands on a top talent.
While Tottenham will be left feeling pretty bitter about the terms of his seemingly impending exit, the £55million price tag that is being bandied about will soften the blow significantly, for it is far beyond what they might have been expecting to get for his sale.
As for the Red Devils, some changes at the back are required and having a player of Alderweireld’s quality would certainly offer Mourinho something to build on as the summer progresses.
This is Futbol rating: Man Utd – 10/10, Tottenham – 6/10
Likely to happen?
There are few clubs that have the spending power that Manchester United have at their fingertips and while Tottenham will be loathed to lose their top star to a Premier League rival, they will have to accept that there are few clubs who could offer such a hefty fee.
Alderweireld’s exit seems to be a given and it is just a matter of where he ends up that is in question.
At the moment, United seem like they are leading the race for the Belgian and with that sort of fee dangling in front of Daniel Levy, he could well snap their hand off.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10