According to Sky Sports, Tottenham and Manchester United are too far apart in their valuation of Spurs centre-back Tobey Alderweireld to do a deal. The news will come as a blow to United, who have reportedly made signing a new centre-back a priority.
Alderweireld in limbo
Tottenham are now in a difficult position, as the highly-rated Alderweireld is out of contract next summer. The Sky report suggests that the north London club value Alderweireld at £50million, a lot of money for a player in the final year of his contract.
Tottenham do have a clause in the defender’s contract that means they can extend his contract next summer until the summer of 2020. However, if they extend his contract at that point the defender’s new deal will include a £25million release clause.
It seems the current situation is not a great one for any of the parties involved. Alderweireld has refused Spurs’ offers of a new deal and fell out-of-favour towards the end of last season.
Tottenham have already effectively signed the defender’s replacement in the shape of Colombia World Cup centre-back Davinson Sanchez. The South American star played alongside Jan Vertonghen in Alderweireld’s absence last season.
United looking to sign a centre-back
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is looking to recruit a new centre-back this summer. The Portuguese boss seems to have little faith in the current group of centre-backs at the club, which includes Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Marco Rojo, Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof.
Although the Red Devils had a decent defensive record, United’s goalkeeper David De Gea found himself exposed by opposition attacks in many games. Luckily for United, the Spain international enjoyed a stellar campaign in-between the sticks for the men from Manchester.
However, Mourinho will know that he cannot keep expecting his goalkeeper to bail out his defence. Hence, the search for a new centre-back this summer.
The Red Devils have also been linked with a move for a big money move for Leicester City’s England international Harry Maguire. However, the Foxes are reported to have put up the not for sale signs, with talk of a £80million valuation for the former Hull star.
It seems United have come up short in their search for a new centre-back. They may need to turn their attention to foreign climes or at least away from Alderweireld and Maguire.
Manchester United need additions
The work Manchester United did in this summer’s transfer window was always going to dictate how well they fared in the Premier League title race in the coming season. The signings of a young full-back in Dalot, a central midfielder in Fred and a veteran goalkeeper in Lee Grant has not exactly imbued the fans with excitement.
In reality, Manchester United are still miles behind Manchester City when it comes to their first eleven and their squad. Liverpool has also seemingly bought shrewdly and could be a big threat to both Manchester clubs.
United need to act quickly and strengthen their squad, they may need more than just a new centre-back to mount a realistic challenge for the Premier League title though.
Will Manchester United sign Toby Alderweireld before the summer transfer window shuts?