By Mark Weasley
Daily Express reports that Manchester United are ready to launch a £60m offer for Toby Alderweireld,
The centre-back is ready to leave Tottenham after falling out with Mauricio Pochettino, following an injury-hit campaign in North London which saw him fall behind Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez in the pecking order.
Now that Belgium have been knocked out of the World Cup, Alderweireld has time to focus on his club career and United will make moves. However, Roberto Martinez’s side will be playing their third-place game on Saturday, with the player going on holiday.
The 29-year-old has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave next summer for £25m, so chairman Daniel Levy, notorious for his rigorous handling of finances, is ready to sell him this summer to maximize profits.
Although we had the second best defensive record in the Premier League last season, conceding 28 goals, our defence wasn’t perfect. We still need a quality partner for Eric Bailly, ideally somebody who is comfortable in possession.
That may not be Phil Jones or Chris Smalling, who are both limited in terms of what they can do on the ball, while Victor Lindelöf is still adjusting to the pace of the English game.
Alderweireld however, would tick all the boxes. He picks some excellent passes from deep, but he is also established in the Premier League and fits the bill of a United centre-back; a burly, uncompromising leader who is capable in both boxes.
He joined Spurs in 2015 and has become one of the best centre-backs in the division. United are willing to pay up to £50m though Spurs want £60m; hopefully, we’re willing to go that extra mile to get our man.
