According to the Daily Mirror, Manchester United have opened talks with Premier League rivals Tottenham about signing centre-back Toby Alderweireld. The Belgian international fell out-of-favour at Spurs towards the end of the season after a contract dispute.
The highly-rated defender is out-of-contract at the north London club in the summer of 2020, but negotiations over a new deal have so far stalled. Reportedly, Spurs are now willing to allow the former Atletico Madrid star leave. A fee of around £75million is mooted in the media, which reportedly United are happy to pay.
One of the best centre-backs
Since his arrival at Southampton on –loan back in 2014, Alderweireld has established himself as one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League. The 29-year-old has played a key part in Tottenham becoming one of the best defensive units in the English top-flight.
However, an injury and a failure to agree a new deal with the north London led to the defender’s exile from the Spurs starting line-up. Summer signing Colombian centre-back Davinson Sanchez has taken Alderweireld’s starting spot alongside compatriot Jan Vertonghen.
It seems that boss Mauricio Pochettino has decided that Alderweireld is no longer needed at the club. According to reports, Alderweireld and full-back Danny Rose could both be heading for the exit this summer.
Mourinho looking at a defensive overhaul
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is set to overhaul his defensive options for a second consecutive summer. Last summer the Portuguese boss bought Ivory Coast international Eric Bailly and Swedish star Victor Lindelof in big money deals.
Bailly started the campaign well. However, injury problems hampered his season. The 24-year-old saw himself out of the United team towards the end of last season, which led to reports of a summer exit.
However, he has now stated that he is not going anywhere this summer and is happy at United. Bailly showed in flashes that he could be a very Premier League centre-back. Lindelof struggled for first team football at Old Trafford in his debut campaign. When the Sweden international did play, he produced some unconvincing performances.
The likes of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones always seem to have a mistake in them. Jones conceding the crucial match-winning penalty against Chelsea was a prime example of that.
None of the four centre-backs are the most reliable. United goalkeeper David De Gea was overworked last season, winning the Premier League Golden Gloves award. The Spaniard praised his defensive teammates, but in truth, he bailed them out on a concerning amount of occasions.
It is understandable that Mourinho wants to improve his defensive options. Alderweireld would definitely be a stellar signing, even if as reported he will cost the Red Devils £75million.
The fee seems to be an issue for some, mainly due to the defender being 29. However, if he helps United win the Premier League title next season, the defender’s price tag will be quickly forgotten.
Rivals for the Premier League title
The two teams are expected to compete for the Premier League title next season, with United odds of 11/2 to win the title and Spurs odds of 11/1.
Looking from the outside in, it seems that Tottenham would be strengthening one of their top-six rivals by selling Alderweireld to United. However, the Belgian international will not be happy sitting on the Spurs bench and will probably get a big pay rise in Manchester.
Some observers have stated that they think Tottenham would be the winners from Toby Alderweireld moving to Manchester United. However, the defender is a top player and Spurs may well regret it if they sell the defender to the Red Devils.
Who would be getting the better deal if Tottenham sold Toby Alderweireld to United for £75million?
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