United confident over £40 million Alderweireld move
After sources told ESPN FC that Spurs defender Toby Alderweireld could be on his way to Manchester United, the London Evening Standard says United "are now confident they will win the race" for him.
It reports that the Old Trafford club "are ready to spend in excess of £40 million" on Alderweireld, with Tottenham poised to bring in Ajax's Matthijs de Ligt as a replacement.
Spurs have been unable to agree to a new contract with the Belgium international, whose deal expires in two years, and Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona have been suggested as other potential destinations.
But the Standard says United are favourites because "they are willing to give the 29-year-old a long-term deal into his mid-30s."
Spurs are willing to let Alderweireld go because clubs are ready to spend more than the £25m he would be able to leave for under a clause in his contract next year.