Man Utd can finally land Toby Alderweireld as bargain release clause activates this summer
Defender could be on his way out of Tottenham at the end of the season for a knock-down price should the clause in his contract be triggered
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MANCHESTER UNITED may be on the way to solving their problems at centre back - as long-term target Toby Alderweireld could be bought for a bargain £25million next August.
The Spurs defender is out of contract at the end of the season, and the London club could be forced to cash in on him during the January transfer window.
But they may be reluctant to lose the reliable Belgian, who has started 11 matches so far this term, in the middle of a season.
Spurs have the right to trigger an automatic one-year extension on his current contract – but that would in turn activate a release clause of just £25.4million for the player.
That clause would come into effect at the end of the summer 2019 transfer window, leaving him available to United at a bargain price.
Alderweireld was expected to quit the north London club last summer, but was persuaded to stay by manager Mauricio Pochettino.
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The sought-after stopper could be tempted to leave this time, though, in search of better wages – and a higher likelihood of trophies – at another club.
Mourinho has long been an admirer of the 29-year-old, and watched him play for Belgium against Iceland in Brussels last week – a match in which none of his own club’s players took part.
United have already shipped 21 goals in the Premier League this season - and more than one of the Red Devils’ defence are likely to be on their way out of Old Trafford in the near future.
Chris Smalling may sign a contract extension before the end of the season, but Phil Jones, Eric Bailly and Marcos Rojo have all fallen out of favour with the Portuguese manager and could leave.
Hardly a week goes by without United being linked to another centre back, though.
According to recent reports, the club is also interested in Milan Skirinar of Inter Milan, Nikola Milenkovic of Fiorentina, and Roma’s Kostas Manolas.
They have also been linked with Senegalese ace Kalidou Koulibaly of Napoli, and West Mam tyro Declan Rice – while Mourinho may also be tempted to make another bid for Leicester and England ace Harry Maguire.
Nevertheless, Aldeweireld’s knock-down summer price is likely to make him the club’s prime target should he stay at Spurs beyond January.