Manchester United are attempting to negotiate a £55million deal for Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld.
United sources have told the MEN the club is prepared to make Alderweireld their most expensive defensive signing to reinforce a backline Jose Mourinho is unconvinced by. The United manager is also aiming to recruit a left-back and a right-back, with Juventus’ Alex Sandro prioritised to replace Luke Shaw.
Tottenham are resigned to losing the 29-year-old Alderweireld after he decided against signing a new contract and intend to sell him this summer rather than in a year’s time, when his current deal activates a £25m release clause.
A £55m fee for Alderweireld would dwarf the £30.9m United paid Benfica up front for Victor Lindelof last year. United paid Villarreal £30m for Eric Bailly in the 2016 summer transfer window, having failed to lure Sergio Ramos away from Real Madrid the previous year.
Spurs are keen to offload Alderweireld, as well as a host of other squad members including Vincent Janssen, Fernando Llorente, Moussa Sissoko and former United target Danny Rose to free up funds for coach Mauricio Pochettino. Pochettino challenged Spurs chairman Daniel Levy to be 'brave' by investing in a squad which has finished in the top three in the last three seasons but is still without a trophy since the 2008 League Cup win.
"We need to talk a lot between us and the club,” Pochettino said earlier this month. “I think I have a very clear idea of what we need to do. I don't know if the club will agree with me or not, but we are going to talk next week to create what I think we need to do together again, to try to improve.
"That is a little bit up to Daniel and the club, of course, to agree with us because, after four years, I think we need to assess that period if we want to compete for big, big trophies. I think all that we achieved until today is fantastic but it will be so important to create again.
"The club's ambition is always to win but it is not easy to find the way. I think it is so important that we are going to move to the new stadium, but not only that is going to make us close to winning.
"I think they're going to listen to me, of course, but sometimes I have some crazy ideas. But you need to be brave in this kind of situation, in our club with our unbelievable fans, and take risks. I think it's a moment for the club to take risks and try to be competitive."
Alderweireld spent three months of the season sidelined with a hamstring injury but was regularly overlooked by Pochettino towards the end of the season, despite regaining fitness. Alderweireld completed 90 minutes in three of Spurs' last five Premier League fixtures, by which time Champions League qualification had all but been secured.
The MEN revealed in February United were interested in signing Belgium international Alderweireld and were prepared to bid for him in the close season. Alderweireld is expected to be named in Roberto Martinez’s World Cup squad and the early closure of the transfer window on August 9 could prompt United to conclude a deal early.
United have earmarked Sandro as their left-back priority and are working on a deal for Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred. The club have also held informal talks with Chelsea winger Willian.
therefore
55
Nah don't think so. He has a clause that means he can leave for something like 25M next year. Think Tottenham will be wanting to cash in but clubs won't be willing to pay a massive amount imo.
hundredth
53
"largely excellent this season" yes apart from the most important game of their season where they lost 3-0? and it's the exact same defence the lost 3-0 and 4-0 to PSG and Juve last year. Alderweireld has been the best defender in the league for the two years he was fit, where have you been?
meadiEbb
46
If alderweireld is worth at 55m, I rather buy an exciting young defender prospects at bundesliga than him. Even though he have experience in epl, why not we buy two or three young prospect than can become maybe better than him. It just my opinion guys. But if spurs want sell below 25m, i will take him anyways. But if 50m above, i rather purchase another young prospect. Because he already 29, and when start the season, he will become 30. Forzablues 🔵 KTBFFH
raheem_CFC
26
That's a good investment if man u gets him... the defence of man u is good, but Toby will make it even more solid
Zacharyman
24
Despite the Alderweireld hype and this subs insistence on VVD not being that good he isn’t an already better player. VVD is also 2 years younger, is miles better in the air and Alderweireld only has a year left on his contract.