Manchester United pressing ahead with deal for £55m-rated defender

Manchester United are trying to sign Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld in a deal worth £55m, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Alderweireld is expected to leave Tottenham this summer after dropping out of favour under Mauricio Pochettino this summer.

Tottenham want Alderweireld to sign a new long-term deal at the club but the north London outfit have refused to match his wage demands.

Alderweireld has just over 12 months remaining on his existing contract, but Tottenham have an option to extend his stay by a further year.

However, by doing so Tottenham will activate a £25m release clause for the final two weeks of the summer transfer window in 2019.

Davinson Sanchez’s emergence has convinced Pochettino that Alderweireld is no longer indispensable to the team and a summer exit looks certain.

The need to sign a new defender was emphasised further for United following Phil Jones’ shambolic showing against Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

Mourinho wants to sign a centre-back for the third summer in a row following Victor Lindelof’s struggles this season and Alderweireld has been identified as the ideal fit.

No outfielder completed more long balls per Premier League game this season than Alderweireld (7.9).