Manchester United are now looking to bring in Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld to Old Trafford before the World Cup starts on Thursday, according to The Sun.
It is stated that the Red Devils have stepped up their interest with manager Jose Mourinho having reportedly wanted the Belgium centre-half for months, and that talks have already commenced between the two clubs with an immediate swoop plotted.
The fee being reported is around £50million, which, if completed, would bring Mourinho’s spending to over £100million already this summer, as the Portuguese born manager looks to upgrade his current squad.
It is claimed that Alderweireld is keen on moving away from Tottenham, as he is currently refusing to sign a new deal at the club.
Good move for Tottenham?
No.
Alderweireld has been a mainstay in the back-four for Mauricio Pochettino, and his play at Tottenham in recent seasons has catapulted him into the World’s elite defenders.
The 29-year-old is reluctant to sign any new deal at Tottenham, due to their wage-cap system that means he cannot earn much more than he currently is in London.
However, Daniel Levy just paid his main man Harry Kane, so if he was to follow suit with that new trend he could manage to keep the Belgium star.
This Is Futbol rating – 1/10.
Likely to happen?
Unless Levy pulls his finger out, yes.
Alderweireld has been integral to Tottenham’s meteoric rise up the Premier League over the past few years, and Spurs will not want his talents going to one of their rivals.
If Mourinho does want to get the deal done before the World Cup commences he will have to move fast, and this only plays into Levy’s hands.
Should Kane’s deal be anything to go by, Alderweireld does have a chance at earning a big contract at Tottenham, but with the upcoming Davinson Sanchez on the books, Levy could be looking to cash in for the 29-year-old.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10