Manchester United are plotting a compromise deal with Tottenham over signing Toby Alderweireld rather than wait for when he can be bought for £25million in the summer, according to the Evening Standard.
The newspaper claim United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has made it clear to United manager Jose Mourinho the club are willing to spend more than £75million to land a top quality centre-back.
The Standard report Alderweireld remains on United’s target list, which is topped by Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly following two rejected bids.
Good move for Tottenham?
Definitely not. Spurs need to reinforce their squad next month, not weaken it. Alderweireld is currently the last centre-back standing after injuries to Jan Vertonghen, Davinson Sanchez and Eric Dier. The 6ft 2in centre-back (source: Transfermarkt) has been the best in that position as he returns to something close to his peerless form of between 2015 and 2017. Spurs know they can get £25million for Alderweireld in the summer if they trigger the 12-month option on his contract, and they are far better off getting that rather, say, £40million next month. Moreover, is there really any chance of Woodward being able to strike a compromise deal with the notoriously nightmarish negotiator Daniel Levy?
This Is Futbol rating 2/10
Likely to happen?
Not, really. Levy would make it as difficult for United as possible, just as he did over the summer, when he reportedly slapped a £60million price tag on the head of the Belgium international. Spurs are likely to be very eager to hang on to their outstanding defender of the season until at least the summer.
This Is Futbol rating 2/10