Toby Alderweireld is set to join Manchester United from Tottenham in the next 48 hours after a breakthrough in talks, according to the Mirror.
The newspaper claim Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has given the green light for the Belgium international to complete a move that is expected to be worth £60million.
The Mirror report United are convinced that Alderweireld will now join by Monday night following a lengthy pursuit that began when they tabled a £50million offer in May.
Good move for Tottenham?
Not really. £60million, if that does indeed turn out to be the fee, is huge money for a 29-year-old who missed most of last season due to injury and a contract stand-off with the club. But 6ft 1in Alderweireld (source: Transfermarkt) is no ordinary player and top-class centre-backs of his ilk do not grow on trees. Certainly, Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez formed an impressive partnership last season but the Colombian lacks Alderweireld’s super-smooth distribution and error-free defensive play. Spurs strengthened their rivals 12 months ago when they sold Kyle Walker to eventual title winners Manchester City for £50million-plus and history is now repeating itself. Tottenham are still a selling club, despite the huge strides made under Mauricio Pochettino.
This Is Futbol rating 3/10
Likely to happen?
Yes. It is no secret Spurs have been working behind the scenes on offloading Alderweireld all summer and supporters certainly will now expect him to leave. With United cash-rich and able to spend big, this deal now looks far more likely than not.
This Is Futbol rating 8/10