Man Utd transfer news: Tottenham set Toby Alderweireld price and Belgium star WANTS move

Manchester United want Tottenham defender Alderweireld to join them, despite pursuing Leicester and Barcelona powerhouses Harry Maguire and Yerry Mina.

The Belgium international fell down the pecking order in north London last season and, although United have a variety of centre-backs at their disposal, Jose Mourinho wants more.

Tottenham have so far complicated negotiations over a deal, with their strained relationship with Manchester United dating back to the Red Devils’ controversial capture of Dimitar Berbatov in 2008.

And the Daily Mail claim Spurs have slapped a £55million price tag on the 29-year-old.

United remain in the mix for Maguire despite Leicester’s insistence he is not for sale.

But Mourinho feels Alderweireld would be a far more significant signing despite his Tottenham troubles last term.

The Daily Mail say Alderweireld is keen to join Manchester United as he senses it is his last chance for one big payday with an elite club.

Yet as things stand, Tottenham are refusing to budge.

United feel £55m is too high a price for a player who, next year, can be signed for just £25m.

A clause in his contract means he will available on the cheap and United would then likely trigger it in a year’s time.

Meanwhile, former United coach Rene Meulensteen thinks Mourinho’s determination to strengthen his defence is ‘a little bit strange.’

The Red Devils have options in Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof.

And Meulensteen said: “It’s a little bit of a strange one. I can only think that he wants another centre-back that is very comfortable on the ball and can bring the ball out from the back.

“That is the only reason I can find.

“They have had a good defensive record, they are very hard to break-down and concede goals.”

Who is Tottenham star and Man Utd target Toby Alderweireld?

Age: 29

Country: Belgium

Honours: Eredivisie (2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13)

KNVB Cup (2009–10)

Johan Cruyff Shield (2013)

La Liga: (2013–14)