Manchester United are reportedly set to launch a summer move to sign Tottenham defensive mainstay Toby Alderweireld, who will be available for just £26 million.
As per a report from Daily Mirror, Premier League heavyweights Manchester United have been given the green light to sign Tottenham Hotspur and Belgium centre-back Toby Alderweireld in the summer transfer window.
Alderweireld has established himself as one of the best central defenders in the Premier League since joining Tottenham in 2015. The defender, who turned 30 earlier this month, has racked up nearly 150 appearances for the Lilywhites and has played an integral role in helping the team establish themselves as title challengers under Mauricio Pochettino.
Over the last year, however, Alderweireld’s future with Tottenham has been mired with uncertainty. The 30-year-old was heavily linked with a switch to Manchester United last summer, with then manager Jose Mourinho intent on signing the Belgian to boost his defensive options.
However, no move materialised back then, with the two clubs unable to agree on a transfer fee for Alderweireld. Manchester United’s hopes of signing the 30-year-old received a major boost back in January, when Spurs activated a clause in the defender’s contract that will allow him to leave the club for a cut-price fee of £26 million.
And as per the report, the North London outfit are resigned to losing Alderweireld in the upcoming summer window, considering that the Belgian international will be entering the final year of his contract.
Manchester United’s defence has looked fragile throughout the season and while there have been some signs of improvement since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over towards the end of the last year, there is no denying that the 20-time English champions could do with bringing in a natural leader at the back.
Given the stockpile of centre-backs at Old Trafford already, there could be a couple of exits in the summer to make room for a new arrival. Marcos Rojo, who has struggled to maintain fitness this season, seems a strong candidate, while the report from Mirror adds that Eric Bailly too could be allowed to leave, after a series of underwhelming displays.
Alderweireld’s experience at the top level, with Tottenham and the Belgian national team, would make him a valuable addition to this Manchester United side and a bargain for just £26 million. However, the report further adds that European giants Barcelona and Juventus are also looking at the 30-year-old, which could complicate matters for the Red Devils.
Given Alderweireld’s contract situation, there is a very strong possibility that he will be on the move this summer. It, however, remains to be seen if it is Manchester United where he’ll end up come next season.
