Manchester United set to revive their interest in Toby Alderweireld | OneFootball

Manchester United are hoping to do a cut-price deal for Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Toby Alderweireld in January, according to reports.

Alderweireld was on United’s list of defensive targets in the summer but the Evening Standard report that their interest was dropped when they learned Spurs wanted £60m for the 29-year-old.

But the Belgian international will be entering the final year of his contract at the end of this season and will be available for the knock down price of £25.4m in the summer. United should therefore be in a stronger bargaining position during the January transfer window, and will be hoping to land Alderweireld for much less than £60m.

Red Devils boss José Mourinho was spotted in the crowd as Belgium took on Iceland in the UEFA Nations League on Thursday but with Romelu Lukaku and Marouane Fellaini both ruled out with injuries, many were puzzled by the Portuguese tactician’s presence at Heysel Stadium.

According to Belgian website Voetball Krant, Mourinho was there to scout Alderweireld as he looks to add a top class central defender to his squad in the New Year.

United have told Mourinho he will have money to spend in January but the club are also prepared to veto his targets, as they are reported to have done in the summer.

Leicester City’s Harry Maguire remains another potential option, but the England defender is likely to command a much higher transfer fee than Alderweireld, especially as he only recently signed a new contract with the Foxes.