Manchester United are looking to compromise on a reduced fee for Tottenham star Toby Alderweireld in January, according to the Evening Standard.
The newspaper claims that the Belgium international was one of United’s top transfer targets in the summer but that Spurs’s £75million valuation priced them out of a move.
However, Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho remains an admirer of the player and is pushing the club’s hierarchy to make a move in January.
The Standard report that the defender will be available for £25.4million in the summer, but that the two clubs could compromise on a deal in the New Year.
Good move for Tottenham?
It’s hard to say, really. Ultimately it all depends on whether Tottenham view Alderweireld’s departure as inevitable. If they do then it’s best that the club moves on from him now while they can. He’s 29 years of age and so he’s not going to demand the same huge amount of money that the club wanted in the summer forever, so they should take what they can get in January if they feel that he cannot be convinced to stay. Luckily for them United are desperate for centre back help and it’s clear that Mourinho covets Alderweireld both from his summer pursuit and his watching brief for Belgium’s game on Thursday. If Alderweireld is destined to leave North London then it’s time for the club to move him on – even if it is for far less than they were after in the summer.
This is Futbol rating: 5/10
Likely to happen?
Who knows? Spurs could conceivably price United out of a move like they did in the summer, or the two sides could thrash out a deal that suits both parties. It does seem as if Alderweireld is going to leave the club eventually, and United is the most likely destination for him.
This is Futbol rating: 7/10